Chelsea: Derby County win over Man U shows value of loan system

Three players in Derby County’s starting XI were loanees from Premier League teams: two from Chelsea, one from Liverpool. Their contributions to the Rams’ success illustrates the importance of the loan system to all parties involved.

Fikayo Tomori was Derby County’s best defender against Manchester United, leading the team in defensive actions and keeping Romelu Lukaku from getting clear sight of or shots on goal. Mason Mount was at the heart of the Rams’ offensive creation, leading the team with five shots, threading visionary passes to his teammates on the run in tight spaces and controlling the space just outside Manchester United’s box. Harry Wilson was Derby’s most productive offensive player, scoring their goal on a brilliant free kick and taking three other shots. Mount and Wilson also scored in the penalty shoot-out.

Aside from their leading contributions at Old Trafford, Tomori, Mount and Wilson have something else in common: all are on loan. Tomori and Mount have come up through Chelsea’s system, while Wilson is a product of Liverpool’s academy.

The fans certainly may wish they did not have to send these three back at the end of the season. If Derby County earn promotion to the Premier League, the Rams’ faithful will applaud Mount, Tomori and Wilson when they face Chelsea, Liverpool or whatever club they play for (Derby County fans seem like decent folk, not the kind to boo loanees years after the fact. Looking at you, Stoke City).

But they just as certainly do not resent the arrangement or question these players’ dedication to the club, even if it has a pre-approved expiration date. The loan system is a part of the game, and for clubs like Derby County, it is a strategic element of success.

Derby County have flirted with promotion several times in the decade since their last visit to the Premier League. They reached the Championship promotion playoffs the last two seasons, and made a firm statement of ambition by hiring Frank Lampard in May.

The Rams fully intend to be back in the top flight within two years. But because they are not there yet, and given their history of minimal success in the Premier League, the contours of the squad show how they are in limbo. Against Manchester United they did not have any players between age 22 and 29 in their starting XI.

The Rams are missing the core of players in their prime years necessary for any club’s sustained success. They do not want to risk buying a Premier League-calibre squad and then be left holding the bill if they do not promote or yo-yo over the next few years. A Premier League-quality 27-year old would break the bank. But a Championship-quality 27-year old may not be enough to keep them in the top flight. And so they have this gap in their squad.

This is where the loan system works for everyone. If a team like Derby County are unable to afford or choose not to buy players in their prime years, the best youth or fringe players from Premier League teams are a near ideal alternative.

Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson fit all the criteria for a club in Derby County’s position. They provide an injection of youth that would be impractical for Derby County to buy. Their experience on previous loans underscores their readiness for the Championship. But since they are not yet proven in the Premier League, Derby County would not want them on the books for the next few years until they acquire more experience. The low cost and short-term commitment make them a low-risk option.

FIFA should listen to teams like Derby County before handing down any half-cocked restrictions on loans. They should see how much Chelsea’s and Liverpool’s young players meant to the travelling support as they created a memorable night at Old Trafford. The loan system gave Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as Derby County (and all anti-Manchester United types), reason to cheer on Tuesday night. If nothing else, it’s great for cross-club fan engagement. Why else would we all set alerts on news from Vitesse?

If Derby County fail to build a long-term squad, that is on them for a short-sighted over-reliance on their loanees. But any team can fall victim to a short-sighted over-reliance on temporary solutions. Chelsea have made an art form out of it, with many more successes than failures. FIFA, contrary to their sense of superiority, do not need to save clubs from themselves.

Chelsea’s loan system has many areas in need of improvement. But the basic of structure of it is to everyone’s benefit. If Chelsea have 40 loanees at 30-some clubs, those 30-some clubs are getting what they want out of the Blues. Derby County and the rest should tell FIFA to stop looking for ways to muddle their plans.