Chelsea cannot afford to let any players go on mid-season loans
By George Perry
Even if Chelsea have their most active January transfer window in club history, the Blues will still have barely enough depth to push through four competitions. They cannot allow any players to go on mid-season loans.
Chelsea could have no players on the injury list and still would not have enough depth – not in volume, and definitely not in quality – to challenge deep in four competitions. The last few weeks have demonstrated the impact that a single key player’s absence can have. Not content with that example, the football gods proceeded to show what multiple absences do to the team and Antonio Conte’s ability to sleep.
Chelsea cannot afford to send any players on loan in the January window. The time may come when social media discontents (Charly Musonda), social media dumpster fires (Kenedy) and various teenagers are in the match-day squad in any of Chelsea’s competitions.
Injuries will continue to mount through the holiday season. As things stand now, the Blues already need to veer from the preferred practice of not making significant transfers in January. They need to reinforce and bulk up the existing rosters. New transfers cannot take the place of prospects, leaving Chelsea with no net gain in the squad.
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The Evening Standard reports that Antonio Conte squashed the possibility of a January loan for Charly Musonda. His Instagram outburst prompted speculation that Chelsea would seek a way to cast him out for the spring. Instead, he is almost certain to start in the Carabao Cup against Everton.
A strong performance by Musonda, Ethan Ampadu, Kenedy or other young players will raise their value to the club and to potential loan destinations. They may also request loans in search of more playing time than early-round domestic cup ties.
This is one of the rare situations where Chelsea must be 100% selfish. There is no balancing act or weighing of priorities. The club – the needs of the first team and the manager – must come first. These young players must stay at Stamford Bridge, because if the day comes when Antonio Conte needs them he will truly need them.
Conte surely hopes the day does not come when he *needs* Charly Musonda, Kyle Scott or Ethan Ampadu. However, this season has taught him that all worst-case scenarios are in play.
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These young prospects have all next summer to fight for their place in the first team before settling for a Premier League loan. Their minutes will come. For now, their club needs them at Cobham and at Stamford Bridge.