English side Chelsea are set to make an early of recall their tricky Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu from his loan spell at their Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
The 23-year-old, who was Africa’s best player at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea in January, is expected to make a major contribution to the Blues if he makes the return.
The Ghana international is being considered by coach Guus Hiddink for an early recall to boost the tottering campaign of the title holders who are this season battling relegation.
But the Dutch trainer must observe the winger before he decides to give him the chance to impress with the first team of the Blues.
Atsu’s season with Bournemouth has been ravaged by injuries, limiting him to just two appearances for the Cherries this season, with both matches coming in the Capital One Cup.
And Chelsea have discussed with Bournemouth the possibility of ending his loan deal early, meaning he will return six months before the season-loan deal expires in June.
Chelsea are preparing to recall Christian Atsu from his season-long loan spell at Bournemouth
Guus Hiddink (centre) is keen to look at the Ghanaian winger before deciding whether to loan him out again
Hiddink, who is in charge of the Blues on temporary basis, will then take the decision of keeping him in the Chelsea squad or loaning him out once again possibly to another club.
The 23-year-old is yet to play for Chelsea having joined the Premier League champions in 2011 from Portuguese outfit Porto.
It’s not been easy for Atsu, who also saw a loan spell at Everton not go to plan as he made just five appearances at Goodison Park.
He had more success on loan at Vitesse Arnhem back in 2013-14, where he scored five goals in 28 appearances in the Eredivisie.
Atsu burst on to the scene at Porto back in 2013 after a loan spell at Rio Ave and made just 17 appearances before Chelsea decided to make their move.
Atsu spent a season on loan at Everton but struggled to make an impact under Roberto Martinez
The 23-year-old did have success in Holland when he played for Vitesse Arnhem for a season
