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As the Chelsea transfer ban has been partially upheld by FIFA, it is more or less heading to an unfortunate turn of events for the Blues as they are set to get a ban from signing new players for the next two seasons. The club can sign minor players under the age of 16 though.
With Maurizio Sarri changing his ideology and accepting the fact that some academy players can actually make it to the first team for the club by giving Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi regular game time, there are possibilities we will see more of the youth academy players who are currently out on loan, feature for the London club in near future.
Chelsea have about 40 players out on loan right now, as per the official website of the club.
It is also nothing new that there are a few players in the squad right now who could actually be replaced by some players who are currently out on loan, and could actually improve the squad in this manner.
So, without much ado, let's take a look at the top 3 players who could lose their first team status next season to players who are out on loan currently.
#3 Tammy Abraham for Olivier Giroud/Gonzalo Higuain
Tammy Abraham has been a sensation for Aston Villa this season, and this can be easily be proven by the fact that the English striker has scored 18 more goals than Olivier Giroud (2) and Gonzalo Higuain (5) for Chelsea combined.
The 21 year old has an astonishing tally of 25 goals and 3 assists for Villa in the Championship, in the 37 games that he has played.
There is no doubt Abraham is ready for his senior reign with Chelsea, and it would be a very foolish move not to capitalize on an existing striker, just to end up splashing money in the transfer market. With the transfer ban looming the latter plan also doesn't add up in the club's list currently.
#2 Reece James for David Luiz
Reece James has been another sensation in the list of Chelsea loanees out on loan this season.
The 19 year old centre-back has been a Chelsea boy through and through, and he has been giving the Sky Bet Championship strikers a nightmare in the Wigan Athletic colours this season.
James was awarded the Wigan Player of the Year award this season, and that proves his calibre. A player who James could actually replace in the Chelsea team right now is definitely the ageing David Luiz.
David Luiz was given a Chelsea revival this season when Maurizio Sarri favoured him over ex-manager Antonio Conte's regular centre-backs Gary Cahill and Andreas Christensen. And the Brazilian has looked great this season too. But, it is evident that his growing age has resulted in him losing out on one-on-ones and against pacy strikers of the opposition.
Reece James is everything that David Luiz isn't right now.
#1 Mason Mount for Mateo Kovacic
Chelsea do not have a buyout clause in the Mateo Kovacic deal and with the transfer ban looming, it is evident Kovacic may not be at Stamford Bridge next season.
With Kovacic still the first team choice of Sarri over Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley, it is a fact that the Italian manager is still searching for his perfect midfield option alongside N'Golo Kante and Jorginho. Mason Mount might just be the answer.
Mount has been prodigal for Derby County this season, and under the tutelage of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, the chances of Mount getting a good word in the Chelsea management also increases.
His statistics of 8 goals and 4 assists fail to resonate his importance in the Derby team this year. The 20 year old has had a passing success rate of 77% in the whole season which is a decent feat in professional football for a young player. His ability to easily transit the game from defense to attack is one of the things Chelsea should be excited about.
