Chelsea: Two-year loan at Vitesse or Bundesliga ideal for Jay DaSilva

Jay DaSilva is the latest Chelsea loanee to earn end-of-season honours from his foster club. Chelsea should send him on a two-year loan in Europe to accelerate his technical development and versatility.

Jay DaSilva had not made a senior-level appearance when he arrived on loan at Charlton Athletic. He went 90 minutes in his first 10 games (he missed one game due to being called up for England’s U20’s) , and ended the season with 41 appearances, the fifth-most minutes on the team (3,332) and the award for Supporters’ Player of the Year. As much as Charlton would love to have him back – particularly if they promote to the Championship – Chelsea must send him out of England for his next loan spell.

Following the successful template of Andreas Christensen and Matt Miazga, Chelsea should loan DaSilva for two years to either Vitesse or a club in the Bundesliga. The two-year hitch allows the player to patiently learn and absorb the technical demands of these leagues, and seems to work particularly well with defenders.

DaSilva is a physical left-back with remarkable footwork on the ball. Holland and Germany are the perfect countries for a player like him to advance both sides of his game. These leagues would expand his tactical and technical repertoire well beyond what he would learn in England.

These styles of play will also help DaSilva to overcome his biggest liability: his height. At 1.7 meters, DaSilva is 8 centimetres shorter than Cesar Azpilicueta, and only a nudge taller than N’Golo Kante. DaSilva will need to learn the tactical movements and body positions necessary to ensure he does not get bowled over by larger players cutting inside. Like Azpilicueta, he is tenacious in the tackle and holds his own against players of any size. But he still must learn how to win Premier League-sized battles.

Playing in Vitesse or the Bundesliga could also be opportunities for DaSilva to try his hand in defensive midfield. As a short, left-footed defender comfortable on the ball, he has a unique set of tools that would work well in the middle of the pitch. Partnered with a box-to-box midfielder like N’Golo Kante, DaSilva could be a highly effective option for pivoting the play out from the centre-backs in addition to his defensive duties. His experience as a full-back with Charlton indicates he could be a dangerous threat in the half-space in offensive possession, with his midfield partner covering defence.

Chelsea have a solid depth chart at left-back for the foreseeable future. Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri will lead the way for the next few seasons. If necessary, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger can cover the position, as well. Chelsea simply do not have room or a need for DaSilva for the next few years, and he is too valuable to train with the first team but watch from the bench.

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Given his strong start to his first-team career, if Chelsea loan DaSilva to a club in the Champions League or Europa League he will return from his two years abroad with close to 150 senior appearances. He will be 22 years old, and ready for either a Premier League loan or start his time as a Blue. By then Chelsea may need his services, as well, and they can add another academy-to-first team success.