26-year-old Chelsea let go finally makes first professional start for four years

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Chelsea winger Charly Musonda has last night made his first professional start in four years.

The Belgian appeared on the left for Levante as they beat Getafe 3-2 in the Copa del Ray.

The now 26-year-old was one of the brightest prospects coming out of the Chelsea academy, however things didn’t work out as everyone had hoped.

He was handed a chance on the professional stage by Antonio Conte, with him scoring in a League Cup match against Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

However, he quickly became another youngster who was seemingly set for endless spells on loan as he searched for gametime.

Musonda endured spells at Vitesse, a club where Mason Mount first proved his capabilities, after spending time at Real Betis and Celtic.

Musonda makes first start in four years

Injuries made things extremely difficult for the Belgian as he was looking to properly kickstart his career. This is one of the reasons why many will be delighted that he has finally started a game again, after four years without doing so.

Obviously no longer a promising youngster, Musonda now faces the prospect of looking to establish himself as a first teamer at the age of 26.

As for current youth products at Stamford Bridge, Musonda’s previous expected fortunes are perhaps best replicated by Omari Hutchinson, who is pushing to make his first professional start since he left Arsenal.

The teenager has been on the bench for both Premier League games since domestic football returned.

This followed being in the first team squad for a number of fixtures in multiple competitions, with him patiently awaiting his chance to impress at Stamford Bridge.

He may be hopeful that the FA Cup fixture against Manchester City will give him the opportunity to show what he can do on the big stage.