Chelsea midfielder completes Championship loan move

Chelsea face League Two strugglers Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon. 

Enzo Maresca’s side had enjoyed a superb start to the season but a run of two draws and two wins from four matches over the festive period have seen the Blues drop to fourth place in the Premier League.

The arrival of the Shrimps to Stamford Bridge could provide Chelsea with a welcome opportunity to return to winning ways, although Maresca is likely to heavily rotate his squad for the game.

In the meantime, the Blues have allowed one of their midfielders to depart the club.

It was confirmed on Friday afternoon that midfielder Alex Matos had completed a loan move to Championship side Oxford United.

The 20-year-old ill spent the remainder of the season on loan at Oxford, having played for the Blues’ Under-21s in the Premier League 2 during the first half of the campaign.

Maresca has plenty of options available to him in midfield

Matos joined Chelsea from Norwich City in 2023 and has played of the senior side twice, making his debut during a West London derby against Fulham in October 2023.

The two-time England Under-20 international spent the second half of last season on loan at Huddersfield Town, making a total of 20 appearances for the Terriers as they were relegated from the Championship to League One.

Matos is a versatile player capable of playing at centre-back or in defensive midfielder, as well as in his regular central midfield role.

The youngster arrives in Oxford with Championship experience, having played in the competition 19 times during his spell at Huddersfield, scoring on one occasion.