The Next Big Thing? – A Look At Chelsea’s Loan Players

Article by e-Chelsea Correspondent Robert Wake

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By my calculations, and I could have missed one or two, Chelsea currently have 32 players out on loan. That is a whole squad, and then some. It doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that not all of these players are going to earn a living at Chelsea, either next season, or in the future. Indeed of the 32, it is likely at least half will be sold on to raise money for new first team signings and to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations over the next 18 months.

Let me start with those players who are unlikely to have a future at Chelsea. Admittedly, there are a few of these I have never seen kick a ball, let alone play a match, so there is a degree of guess work involved, primarily based on the level they are currently playing at, and the number of appearances made. I’ll begin with the better known of those I believe will be moved on. Oriol Romeu, Josh McEachran, Gael Kakuta, Victor Moses, Marko Marin, and Ryan Bertrand. If those six were sold in the summer, Chelsea could conceivably make upwards of £25 million with negligible impact to the current squad. The main surprise here would appear to be Bertrand, a player who last season was on the fringe of the England squad having played in the Champions League Final. The impression is that Mourinho is not a fan, and had preferred playing Cesar Azpilicueta at left back prior to Ryan’s loan to Aston Villa. Marin, whose career at Chelsea was hindered by an early injury, has only made 10 appearances for Sevilla, while Moses, after a promising start at Liverpool, has now fallen well down their pecking order.

Gael Kakuta and Josh McEachran were two of the brightest young players at Chelsea 3 years ago, but both seem to have stagnated, and their development has suffered at a number of clubs, where, for a variety of reasons they have not fulfilled their potential.

Todd Kane has done well at Blackburn, and looks a decent prospect, but it is doubtful whether his chance will come at his parent club. Billy Clifford is now 21, and was recalled from Yeovil Town earlier in the season having failed to make an impact there. Similarly, Daniel Pappoe was recalled from Colchester United having failed to make an impact at the League One outfit. George Saville is having more success at Brentford, but may ultimately suffer from the fact that Chelsea already have Lewis Baker, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and John Swift in his position in the Under 21’s.

Many at Chelsea would like to see Sam Hutchinson make the grade at Chelsea, but in reality, successive injuries make this a remote possibility. Slovakian Milan Lalkovic has been a regular starter for Walsall, scoring five times to date, but is unlikely to have the quality required to succeed at Chelsea. I admit to knowing little about Joao Rodriguez, Ulises Davila, Matej Delac or Jhon Pirez, but at this stage it seems questionable whether they will make the grade at Chelsea.

The remaining 15 players currently on loan may well have a future at Chelsea. Some may require more loan time, and inevitably others will be sold on at a profit to the Club. Mourinho has stated that there is room in next season’s squad for a young attacking midfielder currently on loan. That will certainly have given a boost to the likes of Bertrand Traore, Christian Atsu and Thorgan Hazard. It is however, more likely to be Lucas Piazon who is given that opportunity. The young Brazilian, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Oscar, has been a revelation for Vitesse Arnhem this season, scoring 11 times in 19 appearances. The 20-year old could be seen as the most suitable fit to deputise for his compatriot Oscar in the number ten position.

There could be an opportunity in the squad for Patrick Van Aanholt. The young Dutch left-back recently made his debut for the full national side, and may have edged ahead of Ryan Bertrand for a place in next season’s squad. Chelsea have been crying out for an in form striker all season, and in Romelu Lukaku and Patrick Bamford they have two who have been scoring consistently all season. It is likely that Bamford may need another season on loan, possibly at a Premiership club, but there is little doubt that Lukaku, though raw, would be an asset to the first team if he and Mourinho can resolve their differences. Chelsea signed Kurt Zouma from St Etienne in January, and the imposing French centre-back could be given a chance in the squad next season, particularly in light of John Terry’s advancing years and the doubts that remain as to whether Mourinho sees David Luiz as a centre-back.

Mourinho was full of praise for Nathaniel Chalobah in pre-season, suggesting he would have a place in the squad next season. Chalobah excelled at Watford last season, helping them to the Play-Off final, but had a more difficult time at Nottingham Forest in the first part of this season, and has now been loaned to Middlesbrough along with Nigerian centre-back Kenneth Omeruo, who played a key role in Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations victory last year.

Thibaut Courtois is already a very accomplished goalkeeper, and there has been plenty of debate on where his future lies. Courtois has been outstanding throughout his time with Atletico Madrid, and would be loathed to play second fiddle to Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge. This is possibly the hardest decision the club have to make in the summer. Courtois is undoubtedly a serious talent, but Cech has remained consistent this season, and is only 31. Personally, I would like Courtois to return to Chelsea and compete directly with Cech. It remains to be seen whether this outcome is possible.

Cristian Cuevas and Stipe Perica both 18 are currently on loan with FC Eindhoven and NAC Breda respectively. While Cuevas has yet to feature, Perica has scored 5 times in 16 appearances for Breda. Chelsea signed Mario Pasalic from Hungarian’s Hajduk Split in January. The 19-year old, German- born Croat was immediately loaned back to Hajduk for the remainder of the season, and will need further time away next season to continue his development. Brazilian right-back Wallace impressed during Pre-season, but partly due to work permit issues, was loaned to Inter Milan for the season. Unfortunately, to date the 19-year old has only managed 4 appearances for The Nerazzurri, and will need more game time next season.

So there you have it. Thirty-two players out on loan across the globe. Realistically, Courtois, Zouma and Lukaku could command a place in the team next season, while Van Aanholt, Chalobah and Piazon could certainly add depth to an already talented squad.

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