Chelsea Old Boy Dominic Solanke Might Come Back To Haunt Them

As Chelsea prepare to travel to Anfield to face off against The Reds on Saturday, a moment of thought is thus spared for Liverpool's bit-part youngster, Dominic Solanke who jumped ship to Melwood last summer.

With just a total of 85 minutes in seven substitute appearances to his name for the Merseyside club in the Premier League, Solanke must have less envisaged his plight before he decided to pitch tents with Liverpool last transfer window.

Those cameo roles he has played this season are not shorn of his qualities and flashes of brilliance though, and even his club manager has been effusive when speaking about the youngster.

''He’s an offensive player, a really skilled boy. He has to improve, of course".

Those are good words but it would make little or no meaning if he is always confined to the bench — his potential would only rot and rust as such.

Throughout the 20-year old's journey through the youth ranks at Cobham, he was simply sensational and consistently showed a deadly knack to his game though finding first team minutes very hard to come by.

With 65 goals in 83 appearances spread across the under-18s to 21s for Chelsea, there is no doubt that he is an excellent predator who can score goals requiring varying levels of skill: right foot, left foot, header, tap-ins, long-range strikes…he scored the whole lot.

Having taken his trade to Melwood in search of that credible game time, he has been forced to play second fiddle to Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge, a situation all too familiar.

At 20, it is only fitting that the striker should be accorded more time on the pitch to show that he is ready to spearhead Klopp's attack, none other time than taking on title rivals would be a welcome one.

Moreover, Solanke might have a point to prove to Chelsea for letting him slip away so easily, all to the gain of the Reds.

If Jurgen Klopp would in any way find a place for him in his team, given his varying degrees of skill sets which makes him adapt favourably, perharps he might be the difference maker come Saturday.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : liverpoolfc.com