PSV Eindhoven have confirmed that Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel is on their list of targets as they look to strengthen their engine room next month.
Sporting Director Marcel Brands is quoted by Dutch broadcaster Omroep Brabant (via Sky Sports) as saying:
“We need to check with Chelsea,”
“Of course he’s on our list, but we must also see if there is a spot for him at this time in our team”
That’s a close to categoric as you will get and the subtext here appears to be that this is more than just a passing interest in the player.
Van Ginkel has been genuinely unlucky in his time at Chelsea.
The 24-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in 2013, with lots of hype around his signature, but after just four appearances he was seriously injured and still hasn’t made a mark at the club three years later.
Subsequent to his injury he went on loan to Milan, Stoke and PSV where he played 16 times last season and scored a remarkable eight goals.
The Dutchman has also turned out six times his country but made his debut all the way back in 2012. His record strongly reflects the stunting nature of the injury.
But he surely needs top level game time at this point and isn’t getting it at Chelsea where he has been playing in the U23 side all season.
But he has so many qualities. He’s box to box, has great quality on the ball, sees a pass and has that obvious eye for goal.
If he can get regular game time he could become a top pro and Chelsea may decide that they are only prepared to loan him out again.
Chelsea fans: keep or get rid?