Chelsea defender Baba Rahman joins Schalke on season-long loan deal

Out-of-favour Chelsea full-back Baba Rahman has joined German side Schalke on a season-long loan deal. 

The 22-year-old only moved to Stamford Bridge from Augsburg last summer but has been deemed surplus to requirements by new Blues boss Antonio Conte for the upcoming campaign.

The Ghana international made his debut for the west London club in the Champions League and went on to appear in 23 matches in all competitions, however he has now returned to the Bundesliga where he has been reunited with former Augsburg manager Markus Weinzierl, who took over at Schalke in June.

Conte remains keen to strengthen his Chelsea defence following a disappointing 10th-placed finish in the Premier League last term, and has been linked with moves for Juventus and Napoli centre-backs Leonardo Bonucci and Kalidou Coulibaly.

The club have only signed a midfielder and striker so far in the close season – N’Golo Kante from Leicester City and Michy Batshuayi from Marseille.