Charly Musonda
Musonda playing for Chelsea in 2017
Personal information
Full name Charles Musonda[1]
Date of birth (1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth Brussels, Belgium[2]
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[3]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team
 Anorthosis
Number 77
Youth career
2002–2012 Anderlecht
2012–2016 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2022 Chelsea 3 (0)
2016–2017 → Betis (loan) 24 (1)
2017–2018 → Celtic (loan) 4 (0)
2018–2020 → Vitesse (loan) 4 (0)
2022–2023 Levante 17 (0)
2023– Anorthosis 6 (0)
International career‡
2010–2011 Belgium U15 9 (0)
2011–2012 Belgium U16 9 (5)
2012–2013 Belgium U17 14 (2)
2013–2014 Belgium U19 7 (3)
2014–2016 Belgium U21 12 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 December 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:16, 11 November 2016 (UTC)

Charles "Charly" Musonda (born 15 October 1996) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for Cypriot First Division club Anorthosis Famagusta. Mainly an attacking midfielder, he can also play as a winger.

Early life

Born in Brussels to Zambian parents, Musonda started his career at Anderlecht's youth setup. In 2011, aged only 15, he was already linked to the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.[4]

Club career

Chelsea

On 11 June 2012, Musonda joined Chelsea, along with his two older brothers,[5] after the club previously agreed to pay a "compensation fee" to Anderlecht.[6] On 24 October 2013, he signed a professional contract with the club, after already being a regular with the under-18s.[7]

On 5 March 2015, after already being a regular with the club's under-21 team, Musonda signed a contract extension until 2019.[8] He attracted interest from French clubs Monaco[9] and Olympique de Marseille[10] in the summer, after impressing in both UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup winning campaigns, but nothing came of it.

After not making any first team appearance during the first half of the 2015–16 season, Musonda asked to leave due to lack of opportunities in December.[11] In January 2016, he rejected a loan move from Standard Liège.[12]

Loan to Betis

Musonda waiting to come on against Burnley at Stamford Bridge, August 2017.

On 29 January 2016, Musonda joined La Liga side Real Betis on loan until the end of the season, without the option of making the move permanent.[13] He made his professional debut on 7 February, starting in a 1–0 home win against Valencia, where he also was awarded Man of the Match.[14] Six days later, Musonda scored his first professional goal in a 2–2 draw at Deportivo de La Coruña.[15] On 22 June, Musonda's loan at Real Betis was extended for the 2016–17 campaign.[16] On 1 January 2017, after only making one start in the eight appearances Musonda made under manager Gus Poyet, the Belgian returned to Chelsea.[17]

2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons

On 1 January 2017, it was confirmed by Real Betis that Chelsea had recalled the Belgian.[17] With manager Antonio Conte unsure whether Musonda was to stay with the Blues or be loaned out, interest arose from many clubs around Europe, including Roma.[18] However, after the conclusion of the January transfer window, Antonio Conte confirmed in a post-match press conference preceding Chelsea's 1–1 away draw with Liverpool, that Nathan Aké, Kenedy and Musonda would be staying at the club for the rest of the 2016–17 campaign.[19] Musonda made his debut for Chelsea on 6 August 2017 in the 2017 FA Community Shield against Arsenal, coming on as a substitute after 84 minutes.[20] He made his first starting appearance for the club in an EFL Cup tie against Nottingham Forest, scoring the third goal in a 5–1 victory on 20 September 2017.[21]

Loan to Celtic

On 29 January 2018, Musonda joined Celtic on an 18-month loan deal.[22] He made his debut the following day in a 3–1 victory over Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park.[23] In February, he provided the assist for Callum McGregor's goal in a 1–0 win over Zenit St Petersburg in the first leg of the round of 32 stage of the Europa League.[24] The loan agreement was terminated in May 2018, as Musonda had not received sufficient playing time at Celtic.[25] Manager Brendan Rodgers claimed that the club had beat competition from Real Madrid to sign Musonda.

Loan to Vitesse

Musonda then departed Chelsea once again, joining Eredivisie side Vitesse on a season-long loan from 31 August 2018 (transfer deadline day), having missed out on Chelsea's 23-man squad ahead of the Premier League season.[26] Musonda then agreed to remain there on loan for a second season during the following July.[27] One week into his initial loan period, Musonda suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury, which restricted him to just four league appearances over the next two seasons.[28]

Recovery from injury and final stages in London

Shortly after he went through surgery in August 2019, a pool of doctors who examined Musonda's injury rated his chances of playing again at just 20%.[28][29] However, the Belgian still decided to go through recovery and work on regaining his fitness and condition, eventually returning to team training between December 2020 and January 2021.[29]

Musonda was subsequently aggregated to the Blues' Under-23 squad: on 24 September 2021, he started and played for 61 minutes in the Premier League 2 match against Liverpool, which ended in 4-3 win for his side. The occasion marked his first official match in over two years.[30] He also featured in the following league match against Blackburn, where he played the whole game and his side lost 1-0.

In November 2021, while still training in London, Musonda announced that he wouldn't renew his contract with Chelsea, which was set to expire in June 2022.[31] On 10 June 2022, Chelsea announced he was leaving the club.[32]

Levante

On 16 August 2022, Musonda signed a two-year deal with Segunda División club Levante.[33] On 25 September 2022, Musonda played his first professional game in over 1000 days against Burgos after a period of long injury.

On 1 September 2023, Musonda terminated his contract with the club.[34]

Anorthosis

On 30 September 2023, Musonda signed a three-year contract with Cypriot First Division club Anorthosis Famagusta.[35]

International career

Musonda is a Belgian international from under-15 to under-21 levels.[36]

Personal life

Charly attended Richard Challoner School in New Malden. Musonda's older brothers, Lamisha and Tika were also youth graduates at Chelsea and Anderlecht. His father, also named Charles, was also a footballer who appeared mainly for Anderlecht, and was an international regular for Zambia.[37]

Career statistics

As of match played 3 June 2023[38]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chelsea 2015–16 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2016–17 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2017–18 Premier League 3 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 1[c] 0 7 1
2018–19 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2019–20 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2020–21 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2021–22 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 3 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 7 1
Real Betis (loan) 2015–16 La Liga 16 1 0 0 — — — 16 1
2016–17 La Liga 8 0 0 0 — — — 8 0
Total 24 1 0 0 — — — 24 1
Celtic (loan) 2017–18 Scottish Premiership 4 0 2 0 — 2[d] 0 — 8 0
Vitesse (loan) 2018–19 Eredivisie 1 0 0 0 — — — 1 0
2019–20 Eredivisie 3 0 0 0 — — — 3 0
Total 4 0 0 0 — — — 4 0
Levante 2022–23 Segunda División 17 0 2 0 — — 1[e] 0 20 0
Anorthosis 2023–24 Cypriot First Division 0 0 0 0 — — — 0 0
Career total 52 1 5 0 2 1 2 0 2 0 63 2
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup, Copa del Rey
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearance in 2023 Segunda División play-offs

Honours

Chelsea Reserves[39]

References

  1. ^ "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Charly Musonda". Chelsea F.C. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Charly Musonda Celtic Midfielder, Profile & Stats | Premier League". www.premierleague.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  4. ^ "City lead chase for most wanted teen in Europe". Daily Mirror. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Chelsea snap up schoolboy wonder Charly Musonda from Anderlecht (report)". Daily Mirror. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Chelsea agree transfer of Charly Musonda and brothers Tika and Lamisha". Metro. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  7. ^ "The young generation: new professionals". Chelsea F.C. 24 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  8. ^ "CONFIRMED: Chelsea prodigy signs new four-year deal". Daily Express. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  9. ^ "Charly Musonda urged to leave Chelsea on loan by his father". Goal.com. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  10. ^ "Marseille interested in Chelsea loan partnership – with midfielder Charly Musonda first target". Metro. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  11. ^ "Chelsea under pressure as highly-rated youngster Charly Musonda weighs up his future". The Telegraph. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Chelsea transfer news: January midfielder move rejected". Daily Express. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  13. ^ "Musonda in Betis loan". Chelsea F.C. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  14. ^ "El Betis deja a Neville sin argumentos" [Betis leave Neville without arguments] (in Spanish). Marca. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  15. ^ "Deportivo vs. Real Betis (2 : 2)". OneFootball. 13 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  16. ^ "Musonda remains in Spain". Chelsea F.C. 22 June 2016.
  17. ^ a b "Real Betis and Chelsea FC agree for the termination of the loan of Musonda". Real Betis Official Site. 1 January 2017. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  18. ^ "Charly Musonda's father reveals winger has offer to join Roma". Metro. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  19. ^ "Chelsea boss Conte happy to count on youngsters Kenedy and Charly Musonda". Tribal Football. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  20. ^ Rose, Gary (6 August 2017). "Community Shield: FT: Arsenal 1–1 Chelsea, Gunners win shootout 4–1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  21. ^ Phillips, Owen. "Chelsea 5 – 1 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  22. ^ "Celtic delighted to sign Charly Musonda on 18-month loan deal". celticfc.net. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  23. ^ "Celtic 3–1 Heart of Midlothian". BBC Sport. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  24. ^ Dowden, Martin (15 February 2018). "Celtic 1 - 0 Zenit St Petersburg". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Charly Musonda: Chelsea man cuts short Celtic loan stay after eight appearances". BBC Sport. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  26. ^ "Charly Musonda versterk Vitesse". www.vitesse.nl. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  27. ^ "Charly Musonda joins Vitesse on loan from Chelsea". Chelsea F.C. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  28. ^ a b "'It's been hard but I'm on the right track'". BBC Sport.
  29. ^ a b Kinsella, Nizaar (15 December 2020). "Musonda set to end 15-month injury nightmare with Chelsea training return". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  30. ^ Walton, David (26 September 2021). "Ex-Celtic loanee Charly Musonda plays for first time in over 2 years". 67 Hail Hail. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  31. ^ Davidson, Euan (4 November 2021). "2018 Celtic signing Charly Musonda to become a free agent this summer". 67 Hail Hail. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  32. ^ "Farewell to Christensen, Drinkwater, Musonda and Clarke-Salter | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club". ChelseaFC. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  33. ^ "Charly Musonda se convierte en nuevo jugador del Levante UD" [Charly Musonda becomes the new player of Levante UD]. LevanteUD (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  34. ^ "Charly Musonda se desvincula del Levante UD" [Charly Musonda leaves Levante UD] (in Spanish). Levante UD. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Charly Musonda Jr is part of it!" (in Greek). Anorthosis Famagusta. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Who is Chelsea's rising star Charly Musonda?". Sky Sports. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  37. ^ "Charles Musonda Biography and Statistics". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
  38. ^ Charly Musonda at Soccerway
  39. ^ "Charly Musonda Chelsea Profile". Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  40. ^ "Chelsea fight back to claim Barclays Under-21 Premier League title". 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charly Musonda (footballer, born 1996).
Anorthosis Famagusta FC โ€“ current squad
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