Chelsea are likely to consider loaning out Noni Madueke during the January transfer window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the former CBS Sports reporter said that, while a permanent departure is not on the cards for the 21-year-old, he could move on a temporary basis in order to get more game time:

“If the right kind of offer comes in to get him some minutes and then return to Chelsea, if it suits all parties and it’s feasible, it could be something that is considered. But I don’t think that this is a case of an unhappy player, pushing for a permanent exit, as some reports suggest.”

Madueke only joined the Blues from PSV Eindhoven for £28.5m last January but manager Mauricio Pochettino has hardly used him since the beginning of the season.

The England Under 21 international has made just one start in the Premier League, which came in the 2-0 defeat to Brentford in October.

The Chelsea star is currently out injured

Fans would have noticed that the winger wasn’t even in the matchday squad for the Manchester United game on Wednesday evening. Pochettino did confirm at the start of the week that Madueke did suffer a “minor problem” following the win against Brighton so that explained his absence.

The fact that the former Tottenham academy player hasn’t travelled to face Everton at Goodison Park this weekend also suggests he is yet to recover full fitness.

Who could Madueke join in January?

At the moment, no clubs have been mentioned as potential suitors for the forward but that is likely to change in the coming weeks as we get closer to the transfer window.

Loaning Madueke out to another Premier League team, where he could get the minutes he needs, would probably be the best outcome for the player.