Chelsea's Brazilian starlet Piazon joins Malaga on loan
Chelsea midfielder Lucas Piazon has joined Malaga on loan.
The Brazilian, 18, is likely to be followed out on loan by Marko Marin with other La Liga clubs keen.
Learning curve: Chelsea's Lucas Piazon (left) is on his way to Malaga for a loan spell
Piazon made his Barclays Premier League debut in the 8-0 win against Aston Villa last month, missing a penalty late on.
But Chelsea's interim manager Rafa Benitez wants the attacking midfielder to gain some more experience.
Benitez believes the Brazilian, signed from Sao Paulo for £6.8million two years ago, will have more chance of action in Spain's La Liga than in the Premier League.
He is also eligible for Malaga's Champions League campaign because he has not played for Chelsea in that competition.
Piazon's loan move has already triggered speculation that the London club may be using him as a tactical move in their long-term quest to sign Spanish playmaker Isco from Malaga.
Isco, 20, is also wanted by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. The Spanish champions recently bid around £13m for the midfielder.
He has been a key figure in Malaga's qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League and their form in the league, which sees them sit fifth.
Most watched Sport videos
- Man United Women walk the steps to collect their FA Cup medals
- Golfers take shelter from tornado after cart flips while fleeing
- Caitlin Clark and teammates catch first-ever WNBA charter flight
- Man United Women's trophy lift after 4-0 FA Cup final win
- Gareth Southgate addresses Manchester United speculation
- Footy fan says he is 'broken' after copping ban
- Man United celebrate their 3rd goal in front of their fans
- Ten Hag says missing out on European football 'hugely damaging'
- Tyson Fury's dad John bloodied after clash with Usyk's team
- Chiefs kicker urges men to 'fight against emasculation' at graduation
- The moment John Fury headbutts a member of Usyk's team
- Arsenal fans MOCK Man United's leaking roof as they celebrate win