Chelsea prospect has underwhelming loan spell cut short

Diego Moreira did not make a huge impression at struggling Lyon (Picture: Getty Images)

Diego Moreira has returned to Chelsea after a loan spell at Lyon was cut short having made just seven Ligue 1 appearances for the club.

The 19-year-old was one of Chelsea’s array of summer signings, joining from Benfica on a free transfer as his contract in Portugal expired.

He wasn’t sent straight out on loan, making his Blues debut in a Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon in August, but then moved to France on 1 September.

The forward has made seven Ligue 1 appearances since then, four of which were in Lyon’s starting XI, without scoring a goal.

It has not been a good season for Lyon, sitting 16th in the French top flight and the Portugal Under-21 international will now continue his development back at Stamford Bridge.

As he has played for the Chelsea first team and spent time on loan this season he cannot be loaned out again so will be working under Mauricio Pochettino for the rest of the season.

Posting on Instagram, the teenager spoke fondly of his time in France, saying: ‘Lyon supporters, today is the end of my loan with the OL.

Moreira featured in pre-season for Chelsea after arriving from Benfica (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I wanted to thank you for your welcome from the first day, the first match, from the first steps at Groupama (Stadium). These are memories that will forever be etched in my memory.

‘I wish the players as well as the supporters that they achieve their goals in this second part of the season.’

Moreira may have only spent a brief time with the Chelsea squad so far, but he says he has stayed in touch with some players while at Lyon.

Speaking to DH of Pochettino, he said: ‘He is close to his players, gives a lot of good advice and really breathes football.

‘I also stayed in contact with several players. I had time to build some links, especially with French speakers like Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto. Then, I obviously met Romeo Lavia.’

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