It is not odd in today’s footballing world for clubs to have a multitude of players out on loan. However, something that has caught the eye around Europe is the amount of first team and reserve teams players Chelsea currently have loaned out for the season.
The players Chelsea have out on loan currently total at 28, ranging in ability and squad status. A number of first team players such as Romelu Lukaku, Victor Moses and Marko Marin are spending the season at different clubs as well as promising reserve teams players like Nathaniel Chalobah, Thorgan Hazard and Billy Clifford. But does this system benefit or hinder Chelsea?
From Chelsea’s perspective, loaning out so many players can be hugely advantageous. Its gives players who may not get the first team opportunities or game time at the club both of these things. It can also give young players a footballing education as they become integrated in the different types of football played in Europe, ranging from the passing culture of Spain to the defensive culture of Italy. The loaning system means players are unlikely to become disillusioned and unhappy at the club due to a lack in football but also allows Chelsea to get a closer look at how their players cope playing regular first team football and gives them a chance to impress.
However, the system has drawbacks. Having so many players on loan at one time can make the club look indecisive in it’s choice of players, with many critics saying Chelsea are purchasing players they do not even need. Chelsea currently have players out on loan that have been consistently sent out despite never having represented the club, most notably Thibaut Courtois. Repeatedly sending out a player on loan can make them feel unappreciated at a club, running the risk of losing them completely. For example, Scott Sinclair was a player who was considered to have top potential but was consistently sent out on loan and due to a lack of first team promise at Chelsea, he left for Swansea.
Many critics of Chelsea’s tendency to loan policy accuse the Blues of ruining the game and not properly nurturing home grown talent but leaving it for other clubs to do. Critics point to the success that Vitesse Arnhem have had recently after becoming a feeder club to Chelsea. Vitesse Arnhem have been doing well in Holland with several players from Chelsea on loan there and playing a major role in their squad such as Lucas Piazon and Patrick Van Aanholt to name a few.
With the recent policy to look towards youth in an attempt to replace the “old guard” that existed at Chelsea, it would be hard to unlock the potential many of the players Chelsea currently have out on loan without sending them out in the first place. When Thibaut Courtios joined Chelsea he would never have dismantled Cech from his number one spot, but by sending him out on loan to a competitive side he has managed to fledge into a top keeper that could pose a threat to a position Cech has held for a decade.
With Chelsea’s preference to youth likely to continue as they build for the future, the loaning system at Stamford Bridge is likely to continue and maybe even grow. It has its advantages and its drawbacks, but it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will profit from the loaning system or lose some of their most promising players.
