Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s £30 million move to Chelsea was meant to mark the next chapter in his career under former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca.
Yet, as the Shepshed-born midfielder prepares to return to the King Power Stadium on Saturday, November 23, his journey at Stamford Bridge has been far from smooth.
The 25-year-old joined Chelsea in the summer with high hopes, rekindling his partnership with Maresca. However, despite his excitement, the move has not delivered the opportunities he envisioned.
He remains philosophical about his return to Leicester this weekend, promising restraint if he finds the net.
“If I score against them I won’t celebrate,” he said in July.
“I wish them the best of luck for this season. I wanted to test myself at the next level. This felt like the right time, and I wouldn’t have left Leicester for a sideways move – it had to be a top move.
“I always knew Chelsea were admirers. When Enzo left Leicester, we were on fantastic terms. I wished him the best of luck, and he did the same to me. I never in my head thought: ‘He’s going to take me when he goes to a big club.’ I don’t think I can be that arrogant.
“But when it came about, I was very happy because it meant I could work under him again and continue to evolve. It was perfect for me.
“I’m a completely different player now coming back into the Premier League than when I was playing in it before. I’ve evolved, as a player and as a person. I’ve had the experiences of winning, of dominating games, and understanding football on a different level to what I did before.
“If I made those leaps and bounds in the first year (under Maresca), then I feel excited to see what can happen in the years to come. In football, you can’t stagnate, you can’t stop learning.”
Yet, Dewsbury-Hall has struggled to secure a regular place in Chelsea’s star-studded squad. He’s made just three Premier League appearances this season, amassing a mere 43 minutes on the pitch.
His last league outing came in August, with only a six-minute cameo at West Ham to show for his efforts.
He was an unused substitute against Liverpool and hasn’t featured in five of Chelsea’s last six league squads.
The Europa Conference League and EFL Cup have offered some solace, with Dewsbury-Hall scoring in a 4-2 victory over Gent. However, his Premier League exclusion has raised doubts about his long-term future in West London.
Reports in Spain suggest Aston Villa may test Chelsea’s resolve in January with a loan offer, including an option to buy in the summer.
At present, Dewsbury-Hall finds himself behind Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Enzo Fernandez in Maresca’s midfield pecking order. Even young talents like Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka are preferred options.
Unless fortunes change dramatically, a fairytale return to Leicester may offer little joy, and a goal-scoring performance appears increasingly unlikely.