Chelsea signed winger Christian Atsu in a £3.5 million deal from Portuguese Primeira Liga giants FC Porto towards the end of the 2013 summer transfer window.
The Ghana international has yet to make his Chelsea debut but has gained a full season’s experience on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse, played in a World Cup and joined fellow Premier League side Everton for a season long-loan this summer.
Christian Atsu is still only 22 years old and another season out on loan will be key to developing his skills and experience with first-team football as opportunities at Stamford Bridge this season would simply have been slim-to-none.
Everton manager Roberto MartÃnez did some great business in the loan market last season, bringing in Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and Gerard Deulofeu. The first two were key to their odds-defying fifth-place finish whilst the young Spaniard from Barcelona also made some impact in the games he played. Who knows what Lacina Traoré could have offered if he didn’t get injured.
Everton are bound to have a tougher second season under Martinez with opposition sides more familiar with his tactics and style of play. Everton are behind Manchester United in most predictions, including Betfair's odds, but they could easily repeat a 5th place finish ahead of United. They will have European football to deal with as well, which is why Everton have boosted their squad to help make a stronger push on both fronts.
MartÃnez when his team are all fit will have a few options to play down the wings now. Currently Steven Pienaar plays down the left, but the former South Africa captain prefers to cut inside and let left-back Leighton Baines do the wing work. Which works well but not defensively when Gareth Barry doesn’t cover as they witnessed in a 6-3 loss to Chelsea a couple of weeks ago.
Other options available to the Spanish manager are Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Koné. Both are out injured for now.
On the right, Aiden McGeady and Kevin Mirallas are the preferred players it would appear. The latter is a skilful player and a big threat on the counter-attack.
Christian Atsu is capable of playing on either wing as he did for Vitesse last season. He has an abundance of pace and likes to take players on. However, he still needs to make better decisions in the final third.
He was a nuisance down the right wing versus Germany at this summer’s World Cup as Ghana were the only team not to lose to the eventual winners, drawing 2-2 in the group stage. Atsu looked a threat down the right wing but time and time again his final ball or decision making let him down.
He’s still young and has time to develop his skills. Roberto MartÃnez made good of a number of young players last season - Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley, John Stones and Gerard Deulofeu all benefiting under the former Wigan and Swansea manager.
Christian Atsu has had just a 5-mintute cameo against Arsenal so far this season. The Ghanaian will have to remain patient and work hard for his opportunity with the competition in the Everton squad.
Competing in the Europa League will likely see his opportunities come at some point though.
The youngster certainly looks like he has a bright future ahead of him. Whether it will be at Stamford Bridge and under José Mourinho remains to be seen.