The highs of winning the champions league for Chelsea still have no sign of fading. But with the new season right around the corner, after a little thing called the Euros are wrapped up, the Blues need to look ahead and reinforce their already strong squad in the hope that they can fight for titles. The West London side spend somewhere in the region of £220 million last summer so they may be a little more reserved when it comes to getting out the cheque book. So why not look internally for some gems that can support Thomas Tuchel and his men in a long and arduous season. The Chelsea loan system has been a big talking point around the football community for many years, this is down to the apparent hundreds of players on the Chelsea books that look to get game time elsewhere on the continent year after year and never get a chance once they come back to London. In recent years there has been some exceptions to the concern. Players like Andreas Christensen have come back to Chelsea after successful loan spells and played an integral part in winning titles. Another example of one of these players is Victor Moses (remember him?). The Nigerian winger came back into Antonio Contes side after what appeared to be 30 loan spells and revived his career by adapting his play and becoming an outstanding wing back that supported in the final third of the pitch and defended well. After Conte was dismissed by the club, Moses failed to keep his spot in the side and has now found a home in Russia playing for Spartak Moscow.
So today we are going to look at 5 players who spent the last season out on loan from Chelsea and how they could potentially come in and get some game time at Stamford Bridge this coming year. This is not to say that these players will come in and light the world on fire or even demand a spot in the starting XI week after week but, they can come in and provide fresh legs when needed and also a different element to what we already see in Tuchels side.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 25 – Midfield
Chelsea fans have had high hopes for Loftus-Cheek for the best part of 7/8 years. Starting out in the Chelsea youth system as a defensive midfielder, in his recent years, he has pushed up the field and has even been known to play as a second striker. Loftus-Cheek has the rare combination of strength and great dribbling ability. Carrying the ball between the lines whilst opposing players bounce off him when attempting a challenge was something Blues fans got used to whilst seeing him play during his time under Maurizio Sarri in the 18/19 season. His time under the Italian manager was also the best season of his career, scoring 10 goals and assisting a further five before a career halting Achilles injury in an end of season friendly against New England Revolution scuppered his chances of participating in Chelsea’s Europa League win against Arsenal in Baku. Since his injury, the young Englishman has struggled to reignite his career, playing over 20 games in a season just once in the past three years (21 appearances for Fulham this past season). However, given a full summer off to recover from a tiring season, hopefully Ruben can come back to pre season with the Blues and hopefully can impress new manager Thomas Tuchel. The German manager does seem to be looking for a new midfielder, should recent reports be believed. The 25 year old offers a good amount of physicality to midfield, which is something that Chelsea currently lack. And not just a physical presence, Ruben can add goals to the midfield, which is much needed considering the trio of Kovacic, Kante and Jorginho combined for just 7 goals this past premier league season. All of these were Jorginho’s penalties. With all that being said, fingers crossed the young midfielder can push on and get some game time this season. I’m sure all Chelsea fans will be hoping for the same.
Kenedy – 25 – Winger
Since joining Chelsea in 2015 for a fee of £6million, the Brazilian has played only 15 games for the club and has been sent out on loan 4 times since he put pen to paper on his Chelsea contract. However, the young winger has quality in abundance, the players professionalism has been questioned but this should take nothing away from the qualities he can provide a team. A reason that he has been unable to break into the Chelsea side in recent years has been due to his lack of consistent playing time in once sole position. Kenedy has played all over the shop in recent seasons under different managers, from striker to left wing back, he’s played everywhere. The reason for all the chopping and changing is that the Brazilian has the abilities that allow for him to adapt to different positions. He has great technical ability and is very good with the ball at his feet. He also has an eye for goal, this is primarily due to him playing as a striker back in his youth playing for Fluminense. I see Kenedy coming back to Stamford Bridge and playing as a rotational wing back in Thomas Tuchels side. He briefly played a similar role to a fairly high level under Antonio Conte in the 17/18 season. I can see him doing the same next season for the Blues. He has the pace to track back and cover the centre backs and also the attacking ability to help support the attackers in the final third. It looks as though Tuchel will still be looking to play 3 at the back next season so there will need to be rotation at wing back. And with the likes of Emerson and Alonso rumoured to leave, there will be a spot in the squad that needs filling, and why replace the outgoings with expensive backups when you could use the 25 year old who has quality in his play but also possesses the ability to grow into the position.
Armando Broja – 19 – Striker
With reports coming out that Olivier Giroud could be on his way out the door this summer and English talent Tammy Abraham being unflavoured by Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, there looks to be an opening for a rotational piece up front for the Blues (I wouldn’t consider Kai Havertz or Timo Werner out and out strikers). It’s no secret that Roman Abramovic will more than likely splash the cash on a big name number 9 this summer but, all good teams need depth at all positions to succeed. And having a backup striker who can score is imperative to success. Armando Broja meets the requirements of a player who fits that profile. After a successful loan spell in Holland last season with Vitesse where he scored 10 goals in 30 games, the Albanian gunman will be looking to come back and impress his German manager in pre season. Broja will only be 20 years of age come the start of next season so he has plenty of room to grow as a player, and as someone who is already performing at a high level, scoring a 6.78 whoscored rating last season for an underwhelming Vitesse side which struggled to create chances, it makes for an exciting prospect. Very fast and an eye for goal,makes for some of his stronger attributes. At youth level, the Albanian was dominant. Scoring 9 goals in 9 under 18 games and scored 5 goals in only 4 FA youth cup games. So I see Armando as a prospect who has the ability to explode this coming season. Potentially starting in the odd cup game or to apply relief to Chelsea’s star striker in league games. A 10/15 goal season wouldn’t be out the realms of possibility for the youngster. And I definitely want to see him succeed in a blue shirt.
Marc Guéhi – 20 – Centre Back
An ageing 36 year old Thiago Silva has one year remaining on his Chelsea contract after an extension saw his one year deal turn into two last month. And teammate Kurt Zouma may be looking to find game time else where to progress his career, so, there looks like there may be an opening at the back for Chelsea next season. And, with Thomas Tuchel looking to keep with the 3 at the back formation, reinforcements at the position will be necessary. Step up 20 year old Marc Guehi. The young Englishman had a breakout season last year playing in Wales for Swansea, where he led his side to the Championship playoff final. A disappointing night at Wembley shouldn’t retract from the fact that Guehi had an outstanding campaign where he received back to back man of the match performances in his 2 knockout games against Barnsley in the playoff semi final. His regular season performances were also stellar, scoring an average of 6.90 whoscored rating across his 43 Championship games. Guehi’s stats were also impressive, making 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game and also won 3.3 aerial duels, which is made even more impressive when you realise he stands at a modest 6ft. A great blend of strength and real tackling ability makes Guehi a real rock at the heart of a defence and, Chelsea would be wise to capitalise on his strengths and integrate the Englishman into their side come August. I’m sure Chelsea fans wouldn’t want another situation where a talented youth product leaves the blues to find consistent game time elsewhere and shines. Tomori cough cough*
Trevoh Chalobah – 21 – Holding Midfielder
One player in the Chelsea loan army who surprised last season was young Englishman and ex Chelsea player Nathaniel Chalobah’s brother Trevoh. The 21 year old spent last season out on loan at french side Lorient where he really impressed and picked up 2 man of the match awards in his 24 games for the club. One standout aspect of the youngsters game was his versatility. He played at both centre back and holding midfield, which both happen to be positions of need for the Blues. Chalobah scored 2 goals and assisted a further 2 more which is a fairly solid output from the positions he played in. To put it into perspective, Chelsea target Declan Rice who would cost upwards of £80million provided 3 goals and assists combined in 32 league games last term. Rice also has a whoscored rating of 7.01 whereas Chalobah scored a very respectable 6.82. Yes this is a drop off, but you’re saving a lot of money and you’re promoting a youth player to the first team (I am aware Rice was once also a Chelsea youth player), and you’re getting someone who can fill gaps in multiple positions to a high standard. At 6ft3 he is physically imposing with good technical ability, but his defensive attributes are what makes the youngster standout. Completing 4.54 tackles and interceptions, puts the youngster in the top 80th percentile in his position. Add that with his ability to be able to dribble out of difficult positions and you’ve got a real talent on your hands. And, at only 21 Thomas Tuchel will be able to mould the youngster into whatever he wants.
Forgotten Footballers 