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Chelsea have been known for farming out young players and have been criticised by many in the game for their use of the loan system. Previous seasons saw many players being loaned out to lower tiers of English Football and other European Leagues with Vitesse Arnhem being the primary budding place for the Chelsea youngsters in recent years.
This season witnessed Chelsea players being loaned out in the Premier League too. Here we look at 5 Chelsea players out on loan and their future at Chelsea.
1. KURT ZOUMA (STOKE CITY)
Zouma was a regular at Chelsea before an injury during the 2015/2016 season that put him out for a lengthy spell. Before his injury, he was an integral part of the team that won the League Cup and the Premier League under Jose Mourinho. He made his return last season and played in a handful of matches although lacked sharpness and match fitness. The French defender made the temporary switch to the Potters after the summer purchase of Antonio Rudiger and return of Andreas Christensen from a loan spell in Germany further limited his chances of first team football.
He needs to spend more time on the pitch after recovering from a long injury layoff to get back to the highest level while also being in contention for the World Cup in Russia next year. Zouma has settled in smoothly at the heart of the Stoke defense and should be looking for a solid season ahead. A return to his parent club next season as well as the France squad looks likely if he manages to stay away from injuries.
FUTURE AT CHELSEA
Chelsea need someone with youth and experience to bolster their defensive ranks. Zouma was rightfully seen as the future of the Chelsea defence owing to many eye-catching performances before his injury.
However, since then he has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and needs regular playing time to be back in the frame at Chelsea which Antonio Conte himself emphasized recently.
Likeliest to challenge for a spot in the first team. He would be an ideal replacement for the central defensive duo of Luiz and Cahill considering both players are aged above 30. A player with a blend of pace and physicality is an asset for any top club. Just needs to do what he has done so far this season. Play more games.
2. RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK (CRYSTAL PALACE)
A player Chelsea has high expectations from, he has struggled to make a strong impression at the club since making his debut for the Blues in 2014. New formation and a new role under Antonio Conte last season coupled with competition for places meant fewer first team opportunities for the 21-year-old. A few starts in the early cup games along with some sporadic appearances in the league under Conte last season made him look elsewhere for first team action.
His early form at Crystal Palace has been overshadowed by the club's dismal start to the season and injuries. Although he has no goals and assists to show, his performances with the Eagles suggest things will get better for him and the club. In a horrific start to the season which has seen Palace fail to score a single goal, he has been one of the few bright spots.
FUTURE AT CHELSEA
A typical box-box player, his early Palace career has seen him play behind the striker which could be a role he could claim at Chelsea in future. He was deployed in the central midfield role at times for Chelsea but with fierce competition for the two central midfield spots at Chelsea and doubts over his defensive duties in that role, that role might not come to fruition. To avoid being one of the many to be farmed out constantly, he needs to showcase some outstanding performances which has not come so far.
Furthermore, a possible role at Chelsea at present would be on either side of the sriker. Fabregas has been used at times this season in that role, so it might be the position that best suits him at the moment with less defensive duties and greater emphasis on attack, a trait that comes naturally to him rather than defend but then again all this hinges on how he performs at Palace.
Loftus-Cheek certainly has a bright future ahead of him but we're not quite sure if it is at Chelsea yet. Time is on his side to stake a claim but results will have to improve for Palace to reflect on Loftus-Cheek's early season promise.
3. TAMMY ABRAHAM (SWANSEA CITY)
A prolific scorer at the youth level for Chelsea, a loan spell at Bristol City in 2016/17 campaign saw Abraham score 26 goals, saving the club from relegation to the third tier and winning the player of the year award at the club along with young player of the year. Several clubs were evidently interested in signing him with Swansea winning the race for the teenager.
He has started brightly for the Welsh side, with 3 goals to his name in all competitions, showing strength and predatory instincts. Swansea will again be fighting to avoid the drop and after his heroics at Bristol last season, he could repeat the tale yet again, this time in the big league.
FUTURE AT CHELSEA
Abraham still looks raw and inexperienced but definitely has the tools for a top striker in the making. A 10+ goal season could accelerate his integration to the first team at Chelsea though, with Conte's apparent lack of trust in Michy Batshuayi. Despite the role of a main striker being a far-fetched idea, he is certainly one for the future who needs some time before staking a regular spot in the first team.
A Chelsea role does not seem too far for the youngster. He could play as backup to Morata or alongside him, a system Conte is yet to test at Chelsea this season. Yet to develop fully, a year or two might be what it takes for Abraham to be in contention for the striker's spot. Goals are what strikers make a name out of and scoring goals at Swansea will certainly help his cause for a role at Chelsea. A backup to Alvaro Morata might seem a possibility next season.
4. IZZY BROWN ( BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION)
Chelsea signed Izzy Brown from West Brom aged just 16 and having already debuted for the Baggies by that time. Since joining the Blues, he has been loaned out to Vitesse, Rotherham (first half of 2016/2017) and Huddersfield(second half of 2016/2017), where he was the part of the squad that secured promotion to the Premier League. In 2017/18 he joined Brighton, a fellow newcomer in the league,on a season-long loan.
An opening day start against Man City ended prematurely where he came off injured after 24 minutes. Able to play in a multiple of attacking positions he could prove to be a vital player for the Seagulls. After five games out, he came back to the side against the Gunners and will hope to make an impact similar to that at Huddersfield where he scored 5 times during his short spell at the club.
FUTURE AT CHELSEA
Having signed for Chelsea at such a young age, expectation levels were always going to be higher. Unfortunately, injuries have interrupted his development during his time at various clubs. He is yet to find a position that suits his game the most with versatility often hindering player's development. A strong showing in the Championship with Huddersfield last season, although he might struggle to replicate it in the big league. If he can stay fit and get a run of games at Brighton, we should know if he's built for the Premier League.
A look into the future with Brown occupying the positions of the attacking trio could be possible however he has a long way to go if it is to turn into reality. He really needs to step it up at Brighton to have the spotlight over him as Chelsea are always on a lookout for top quality players.
Unlikely to break into the first team at Chelsea though and a possibility of number of loan spells is on the cards unless he gets going this season. Having signed at such a young age, his career has stalled since and might need a fresh start away from Chelsea permanently.
5. KASEY PALMER (HUDDERSFIELD)
Part of the youth cup successes Chelsea have had in recent seasons, Palmer has made a positive impression with his performances in the youth leagues. 2016/17 season saw Palmer move to Huddersfield where he showed his potential, with 4 goals and 3 assists, before succumbing to injury. He re-joined the Terriers for the 2017/18 season and will look to have the same impact as he did in the Championship.
The start to this season has been encouraging for Palmer with a start in the opening day of the season along with two substitute appearances the following two games, ensuring he is in the plans of his manager although he is currently out injured. Predominantly a winger who is capable of playing just behind the striker, couple of goals and assists will make him stand out among his fellow loanees.
FUTURE AT CHELSEA
Palmer, like Abraham is still raw and needs more playing time to improve himself. He is getting valuable Premier League experience, which is great but needs to step up with match winning displays to get noticed. Like Brown, he is getting used to this league and will take time to have some impact. Couple of loan spells away from the club seems imperative before he can finally challenge for a first team spot.
A role similar to Brown in the attacking third suits him but he needs to overcome his injury and play more games at the moment. WIth Abraham and Loftus-Cheek, who all played together in the youth leagues, also looking to impress this season he needs to up his game.
Highly unlikely to challenge for a spot in Conte's side at the moment, albeit couple of good performances might change that. A permanent transfer in near future cannot be ignored.
