The English transfer window is just under two weeks away from closing and that can mean only one thing: the annual Chelsea loan circus is well underway.
At the time of writing, the Blues have 22 players out on loan for the upcoming season, spread over Europe and South America as they look to trim the fat off their squad, as well as boost the output of their academy.
Chelsea often receive a lot of criticism for their huge volume of loans which many believe to be purely a money-making system in which the club looks to hoard younger players, before selling them for a profit after several spells away.
But whether that may be the case, the clubs on the receiving end of Chelsea’s loans are often beneficiaries of the system as they can utilise some of Europe’s better young players for at least a season – with a few either seeing another loan spell or permanent move if the initial deal was a success.
Then there are those who Chelsea may seriously harbour intentions of breaking into the first-team after gaining valuable first-team experience away from the club.
Seven of Chelsea’s 22 loanees so far this summer have been sent to Championship clubs, to test themselves in one of England’s most competitive professional leagues.
But who are these players? Below are the seven players Chelsea have on loan at a Championship club, rated by the impact they could make in 2018/19 as well as their chances of making it at Stamford Bridge.
Mason Mount
Age: 19
Position: Attacking midfielder
New club: Derby County
The shining light of Chelsea’s loan system last season, some had hoped Mason Mount would be given a chance under Maurizio Sarri this campaign.
And when that did not appear to be the case, the same people had backed Mount to do well on loan again at one of Europe’s top five leagues before his move to Derby County was confirmed.
But, while Derby have been sniffed at by some, Mount will now spend the season working under two of the best possible men for his development: Frank Lampard and Jody Morris.
"That is the difference – a midfielder that ends up in the six-yard box. I have got so much belief in his quality." – Frank Lampard on @MasonMount_10.
pic.twitter.com/Unmypehe3I
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) July 29, 2018
Morris worked with Mount during his time at the Chelsea academy and Lampard can help mould the youngster into the player his former side wants him to be – an improved replica of the former England international.
Capable as a No. 8, Mount will likely turn out for Derby as a 10 and has already shown glimpses of his ability in pre-season, scoring a Lampard-esque goal as the Rams beat Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Key stat: Mason Mount scored 14 goals in the Eredivisie last season while on loan at Vitesse.
Rating: Key player – As long as Lampard and Morris remain the number one and two at Derby, Mount will be a big player at the club.
Chelsea chances: 9/10 – Of those on loan in the Championship and elsewhere, Mount represents the best and biggest chance of breaking into the Chelsea first team next season given his talent and confidence at such a young age.
Reece James
Age: 18
Position: Right-back
New club: Wigan Athletic
Another Chelsea youngster sent out on his first loan spell away from the club, Reece James has given the Blues a lot to be excited about during his time with the youth teams.
His exploits last season won him the club’s Academy Player of the Year award, beating out the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Captaining the Blues to Youth Cup glory, James played predominantly as a centre-back in Chelsea’s back three but his favoured position would be right-back – where he’ll be expected to play for Wigan Athletic.
Oddly enough, he will replace Wigan’s old Reece James who was released during the summer.
Key stat: Reece James scored three goals and recorded two assists in the Premier League 2 last season.
Rating: First team ready– How well James does will depend on the opportunities he is given. Should he be trusted, he can become a key player at the back for Wigan.
Chelsea chances: 8/10 – Chelsea’s return to four at the back could see James in with a chance in a year’s time, depending on how well he does and if Sarri is still in charge.
Trevoh Chalobah
Age: 19
Position: Centre-back
New club: Ipswich Town
The younger brother of Nathaniel Chalobah – also known as the one that got away from Chelsea – has started his Blues career in a similar way in being sent out on loan.
Trevoh Chalobah has a lot of promise following his performances for the Chelsea academy over the past few seasons in the FA Youth Cup and was named on the first-team bench three times last year – including the FA Cup final.
But for the mean time, he has been sent out on loan to Championship club Ipswich Town to gain valuable first-team football ahead of a possible long-term Chelsea career.
While a centre-back by trade, Ipswich manager Paul Hurst has confirmed Chalobah was signed to fill the role as a midfielder, which could see him playing more often during the season.
He said, via the East Anglian Daily Times: “I’m not saying he will never play there, but I brought him in as a midfield player really with the attributes that he’s got. Maybe age comes into that slightly as well. I think that (midfield) would be a better position for him at this moment in time.”
Key stat: Trevoh Chalobah has made 42 appearances for England’s youth teams.
Rating: First team ready – Despite not having spent much time training with Ipswich due to England duties, Paul Hurst appears ready to trust Chalobah in his midfield.
Chelsea chances: 7/10 – This depends on how he performs as a midfielder during the season and whether it would affect his defensive abilities. Chelsea need centre-backs, not defensive midfielders.
Jamal Blackman
Age: 24
Position: Goalkeeper
New club: Leeds United
Jamal Blackman is one of many Chelsea players currently stuck in a loan system, about to embark on his fifth temporary spell away from the club.
Over the past decade it has been a hard task for a young goalkeeper to break through at Chelsea, first with having to overthrow Petr Cech, and now Thibaut Courtois.
As a result, Blackman’s loans away from the club appear to be more to boost his transfer value than give him valuable experience ahead of a return.
But Leeds are the latest recipients of the young goalkeeper and will be hopeful, following the 24-year-old’s promising performances at Sheffield United last season.
Key stat: Jamal Blackman kept nine clean sheets in 31 Championship appearances last season.
Rating: Key player – Following the summer departures of Fleix Wiedwald and Andy Lonergan, Blackman will challenge Bailey Peacock-Farrell for a starting spot at Leeds.
Chelsea chances: 4/10 – Having spent so long away from Chelsea on loan, other younger goalkeepers such as Marcin Bulka may have jumped ahead him in the pecking order. A good spell at Leeds could lead to a permanent move next summer.
Kasey Palmer
Age: 21
Position: Attacking midfielder
New club: Blackburn Rovers
The latest addition to the Chelsea loan army this season, Kasey Palmer will be hoping to add to his Championship experience.
Palmer spent the 2016/17 season on loan with Huddersfield Town and helped them earn promotion to the Premier League which saw him return on loan last year.
But his spell with the Terriers was cut short due to injury, which eventually saw him move to Derby County in January – scoring twice as the Rams finished in the play-offs.
And now he will get the chance to test himself again with regular football in England’s second flight, as Blackburn look to secure themselves in the Championship following promotion last season.
Key stat: Kasey Palmer averaged 4.2 successful take-ons per 90 minutes in the Championship for Derby last season.
Rating: First team ready – Given his Championship experience, Palmer can be thrust straight into the Blackburn first team and fight for a consistent starting place.
Chelsea chances: 5/10 – While some may have given up on Palmer’s Chelsea career, a good loan spell at Blackburn could see the midfielder given a chance next season. Though it could just as easily go the other way.
Lewis Baker
Age: 23
Position: Central midfielder
New club: Leeds United
Lewis Baker had a torrid time on loan at Middlesbrough last season and will be hoping for a better stint at Leeds alongside Blackman.
The midfielder is now on his fifth loan spell away from Chelsea having once been a key member of their Youth Cup glories.
But he is no closer to breaking into the Chelsea first team, though this does not mean he cannot prove effective for Leeds.
Despite his forgettable time in Middlesbrough, the 23-year-old does have ability on the ball and will be key to Leeds’ attacking play, providing an option to create from deeper.
Key stat: Lewis Baker scored one goal in 12 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough.
Rating: Useful addition – Baker has entered a packed central midfield at Leeds but if given the chance he may play himself into becoming a regular.
Chelsea chances: 3/10 – Baker is dangerously close to following the career path of Josh McEachran rather than Ruben Loftus-Cheek in leaving Chelsea to lower-league obscurity.
Todd Kane
Age: 24
Position: Right-back
New club: Hull City
Almost the King of Chelsea loans, Todd Kane is about to start his eighth loan spell away from the club, this time with Hull City.
Since joining Chelsea as an eight-year-old, the full-back has been sent out to Oxford United, FC Groningen, NEC Nijmegen, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End without making a single appearance for the Blues.
But this will be Hull’s gain this season as the experience he has picked up across Europe will be vital.
In his loan spells, Kane has made 49 Championship appearances, scoring three and recording three assists across spells with Forest and Blackburn.
Key stat: Todd Kane scored three goals and recorded two assists in 17 games for Oxford United last season.
Rating: First-team ready – Being signed alongside Eric Lichaj at right-back this summer, Todd Kane may find himself playing second fiddle to the former Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest man but will do well when called upon.
Chelsea chances: 0/10 – With his Chelsea contract up at the end of the season, this will surely be Kane’s last year on the books at Stamford Bridge.
The post Rating Chelsea’s Championship loanees by potential impact next season – and who could eventually make the first team appeared first on Squawka News.
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