Chelsea loans Michael Hector because that’s what Chelsea does
By George Perry
Michael Hector will spend yet another season on loan. The only thing that makes this one different from his previous 12 loan spells is that he will finally play outside the United Kingdom.
Chelsea signed Michael Hector from Reading on 1 September 2015. He then proceeded to spend the entire 2015/16 season on loan at Reading. His 26 appearances for Reading last season are approximately one-third of his total appearances for Reading, the team he joined as a youth player in 2009.
From 2009-2015, while on the books at Reading, Hector had 11 separate loan spells. He played for non-league teams, Scottish Premier League, League of Ireland Premier Division and League Two. Because of course every young boy dreams of playing at Havant & Waterlooville, Oxford City and Horsham all in the same year.
Imagine his relief and elation when he signed a contract with the then-defending Premier League champions. Then think about how quickly those emotions soured when he found himself not actually moving to west London, but staying put at Reading as a loanee. But then imagine how proud he must have been to finally see consistent playing time for his childhood club.
Because nothing says player development and man-management like transience and emotional roller-coasters.
At 24 years old, Michael Hector is past the age where more loans will provide meaningful “first team experience” and “consistent playing time.” He is at the turning point in his career where he needs to be able to prove his value to a team over the long-term. Whether that is for his on-field prowess, his leadership or his meshing well with a particular manager, Hector’s career will flatline without stability.
The two upsides to this loan are that Hector will be playing in a top tier domestic league, and that he will be playing outside of the United Kingdom for the first time. Continental experience is vital for player development. Learning new tactics, cultures and styles of play can help a player burst through a plateau that came about from only encountering the same old-same old in a single country.
Chelsea’s current loan army has amassed a good share of accolades from their foster clubs. Andreas Christensen is another Chelsea defender in the Bundesliga. He was player of the year at Borussia Monchengladbach, who have aggressively pursued him for a permanent deal throughout the transfer window.
Less salutary, defender Tomas Kalas was a key part of Middleborough’s promotion to the Premier League last season. Chelsea then rewarded him with another stint in the Championship at Fulham. Hector surely hopes to avoid that fate.
Mohamed Salah is the closest parallel to Michael Hector. Hector and Salah are the same age, have a strong presence on their national team and came to Chelsea hoping for a career breakthrough. Salah had few chances to impress under Jose Mourinho, but had an immediate impact at his second Serie A loan club, AS Roma. Chelsea did the right thing in transferring Salah to Roma.
Related Story: Chelsea finally do right by Mohamed Salah, transferring him to AS Roma
Chelsea’s loan policy is becoming more visibly absurd by the day (particularly if Tammy Abraham is playing that day). Loaning Hector is not the worst move Michael Emenalo has made so far this campaign (that’s a tough bar to clear), but it is not the right move.
Next: What's in store for Chelsea's Asmir Begovic this season?
Chelsea owe it to Michael Hector to find a club he can call home. If they do not, Hector and his management team need to take control of his destiny and set his career on track.