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Official: Fulham loan Tomas Kalas, Chelsea attitude not changing

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Tomas Kalas of Chelsea controls the ball under pressure from Steven Gerrard of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on April 27, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Tomas Kalas of Chelsea controls the ball under pressure from Steven Gerrard of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on April 27, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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In a move that suggests attitudes in West London have not changed, Fulham have loaned Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas for the season.

After being linked with a move to Middlesbrough earlier today, Tomas Kalas now officially has a destination for next season. Chelsea have loaned the defender to Fulham for the year, as he continues to develop his game.

Chelsea put out a brief article to confirm the move, as Kalas once again heads down to Championship.

"Tomas Kalas has this evening joined Fulham on a season-long loan. The Czech defender, 23, spent last season with Middlesbrough and returns to the Championship with our west London neighbours."

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This will be highly frustrating news for Chelsea fans. Tomas Kalas has spent the last season and a half in the Championship, playing with Middlesbrough. He has developed his game significantly under Aitor Karanka’s watch, making around 50 competitive appearances.

His performances were also recognised at an international level as he made his debut for the Czech Republic senior team.

Now, at the age of 23, many will see this latest loan as a step backwards. His impressive form with Middlesbrough should have left him inundated with Premier League suitors. However, he has been sent back down to the second tier for a whole campaign.

It was hoped that Chelsea’s attitude would change with the arrival of Antonio Conte, but this deal has indicated that this will not be the case. Even if Kalas did not warrant a spot in Chelsea’s first team, a productive loan could have been arranged.

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 28: Tomas Kalas of Middlesbrough during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United v Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on October 28, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – OCTOBER 28: Tomas Kalas of Middlesbrough during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United v Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on October 28, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Having said that, a permanent switch would have probably been better for the defender. Even if he were to move to the Championship anyway, it would be with his future certain. Kalas would not be playing to impress Chelsea management who may or may not utilise him during the following season.

More senior squad arrivals are expected as the summer wears on. Hence, there is a justified fear that many of Chelsea’s other promising talents will be wasted in similar moves. Nathan Ake, for example, must be wondering what the next campaign holds for him.

Next: POL Chelsea Debate: England’s next manager, pre-season tour

Now that the deal is official, you can be sure that Kalas will perform to the best of his abilities in order to make something of it. His future is evidently not at Stamford Bridge so hopefully he will impress enough to secure a decent permanent switch next summer.

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