Chelsea's Plan for Facundo Buonanotte Revealed
Chelsea has a clear plan for their new signing, Facundo Buonanotte, who joined the club on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. The move, which raised eyebrows among some supporters hoping for other acquisitions, is already showing promise, with Buonanotte impressing in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Buonanotte's Impressive Start at Chelsea
During the international break, Buonanotte made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick in a friendly match. This performance led to congratulations from senior players and positive feedback from Chelsea staff regarding his fitness levels. This is an encouraging sign for the 20-year-old Argentine midfielder.
The Loan Deal and Chelsea's Future Options
While loan deals often fail to excite fans, Chelsea has secured matching rights for Buonanotte. This means if another club attempts to purchase him from Brighton next summer, Chelsea will have the opportunity to match the offer. The club has a history of doing business with Brighton, including the signings of Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, and Joao Pedro.
Familiar Faces and Swift Integration
Buonanotte's familiarity with players like Caicedo, Sanchez, and Joao Pedro, as well as staff members Paul Winstanley and Sam Jewell from his time at Brighton, will aid his integration into the Chelsea squad. Furthermore, he is on good terms with fellow Argentinians Enzo Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho. He also has a solid Premier League experience already, having played 71 games.
Maresca's Plan for Buonanotte
Despite initial confusion regarding his squad inclusion, Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea head coach, has confirmed that Buonanotte will get opportunities to play. Maresca stated, "He is a good player. I know him because he was in Leicester and I was there (before), so I have some contact there. He’s a player who can help us. We have so many competitions, so many games, that for sure he’s going to play games for us."
Champions League and Homegrown Status
A significant factor in Buonanotte's potential future at Chelsea is his status as a homegrown player starting in January, having moved to Brighton from Rosario Central in January 2023. This could improve his chances of being included in the Champions League knockout phase, should Chelsea qualify.
Playing Position and Cole Palmer's Role
Buonanotte prefers the No. 10 role, a position where Cole Palmer's minutes will need to be monitored due to a groin injury. Maresca has identified Buonanotte as a potential replacement for Palmer in that position, offering tactical flexibility.
Brighton's Perspective and Buonanotte's Ambition
Brighton hopes Buonanotte will get regular playing time at Chelsea. Despite interest from other clubs, including a Bundesliga team, Buonanotte chose Chelsea for the greater chance of competing in domestic cups and challenging at the top of the Premier League. His motivation is also fueled by the possibility of making Argentina's World Cup squad.
Hurzeler's Confidence in Buonanotte
Brighton's head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, has expressed confidence in Buonanotte's future with the club, stating, "Overall, we’re very happy that he’s a Brighton player and no matter where he will be, long term, we will see him here as a player for us because he’s a great player and he’s a great character." Ultimately, Buonanotte must prove his worth to secure a permanent move to Chelsea.
