Celtic loan star Charly Musonda says he’s on the right path

CHARLY MUSONDA is one of 37 players currently out on loan from Chelsea.

For many of the rising stars sent to play in places as diverse as Woking in Surrey and Tampico in Mexico, there’s little prospect of making it at Stamford Bridge.

Musonda, however, is clear. He has come to Celtic to improve as a footballer.

The 21-year-old has an unshakeable belief in his ability, but won’t feel a failure if he doesn’t get the call to go back and play for the London club.

He said: “There aren’t many team-mates I’ve spoken to who have gone on loan and gone back to Chelsea.

“But Andreas Christensen is in the first team now, playing games week in, week out, which is great for him.

“Everyone has his own road in life. Some go on loan to find that road somewhere else, some go on loan to develop and think they’ll one day come back to Chelsea.

“In my case, I’ve come on loan to enjoy my football and see where things take me.”

Musonda joined Chelsea at the age of 15, along with brothers Tika and Lamisha.

Although they didn’t make it and are now in the Spanish Third Division, Charly always thought he would be a success.

He went on: “It was simple, from that age I was one of the best and I knew that.

“I have no doubts. You have to believe and hope that one day you can make it.

“It’s not just about playing for Chelsea, it’s about developing as a player and being at Chelsea at that young age, and in that environment, helps you become a better player.”

Musonda came north to watch a Celtic game at the end of last season and met Brendan Rodgers. It was then the possibility of a move emerged and has now culminated in an 18-month loan deal.

The Celtic boss keeps a close eye on prospects arriving at English Premier League clubs.

Rodgers said: “What has happened over the last five years is that clubs are having to get the players younger.

“Clubs are looking at players younger, and more seriously, because they know that once they lose that player that’s it – even at 10, 11 or 12 years old.

“Those clubs will look after the talents and put them on big contracts, so you can’t buy them.

“If you have an opportunity to take them on loan, we have to look at that market.”