Chelsea can square accounts by selling Kalas and Dasilva to Bristol City

Tomas Kalas and Jay Dasilva continued their time in the loan army as regulars in Bristol City’s squad last season. Chelsea can settle several accounts by letting the pair become permanent Robins this summer.

Bristol City has become one Chelsea’s preferred loan destinations in recent years. Tammy Abraham put himself on everyone’s watchlist with his 26-goal 2016/17 season. After not sending anyone there for 2017/18, the Blues loaned three players to the Robins last season: Tomas Kalas, Jay Dasilva and Kasey Palmer.

Kalas and Dasilva are in the rumour mill for a permanent move to Bristol City. Chelsea and Bristol City make equally compelling claims for Dasilva based on need, but his own needs for playing time and stability will be better satisfied wearing red.

“From what we saw last season, Dasilva fits our style really well,” says Paul Binning of The Exiled Robin. “Pacy and energetic, he stands out as a progressive left-back, playing much of his football beyond the halfway line. He reads the game well and, despite his lack of height, is a good competitor.

“Probably the key for Bristol City is his direct running style. I wouldn’t say we’re a particularly pacy side, and don’t have many players who run directly at the opposition. Dasilva can take the ball from the halfway line and get us in an attacking position within seconds in a way few others in our squad can manage.”

Despite not playing together at Chelsea before arriving together at Bristol City, Dasilva and Kalas made a formidable partnership along the Robins’ back line. They complemented each other well and, more importantly, recognized when to lend their individual skills to draw better play out of the other.

“Dasilva relies on Kalas and the centre-backs a little,” Binning said. “He probably needs a strong pairing in there as, whilst he’s clearly very comfortable and more than competent going forward, he has a few more question marks defensively, especially when up against the bigger, stronger wingers.

“His more aggressive loan partner helped him out in that sense, whilst Kalas, albeit not a bad footballer, appreciates the outlet Dasilva offers with the ball and certainly uses that on a regular basis.”

Tomas Kalas is entering Matej Delac territory in terms of the time and distance he has logged in the loan army. Kalas at least has his four first-team appearances, including his Premier League debut under Jose Mourinho in the famous title-denying game at Anfield in 2014. But since then he has never moved up the depth chart to approach the bubble of the first team, and he deserves a forever home.

Dasilva, on the other hand, has “only” spent three seasons on loan: two at Charlton Athletic before joining Bristol City last season. Bristol City are linked with numerous left backs, Dasilva atop the list, right as Chelsea FC could lose Marcos Alonso and will have to start the season without Reece James as an option at right back. Dasilva has just about everything Chelsea need, but rarely has that led to a jump from the loan army to the first-team.

If Chelsea see an upward trajectory for Tomas Kalas and Jay Dasilva, the transfer ban and other circumstances around the club mean this summer is now or probably never.

Unfortunately, nothing about their handling of Kalas’ career over the nine years since he joined and five years since his first team appearances; Dasilva’s career (one year in League One, two in the Championship); nor even Abraham, with his yo-yo between tiers, gives much promise for next season.

Chelsea also need to maintain their relationship with Bristol City on good terms. The Robins would have loved a second year of Tammy Abraham, but the Blues opted to send him for a forgettable year with a forgettable Swansea City side. The next time Bristol City fans encountered Abraham was when he was wearing an Aston Villa kit as he powered Aston Villa into the Championship playoffs and then the Premier League.

Like many Bristol City fans, Binning of The Exiled Robin is sanguine about the relationship between the two clubs and the loanees.

“People understand the position we’re in and Chelsea have to get the best possible deal they can, just like we would want to. At present it’s a relationship everyone’s still looking towards and wondering which exciting prospect might be next along the line for us (Reece James please!).”

But Binning also recognizes what’s in it for Chelsea. The two clubs may be widely unequal in football and business terms, but they are equal beneficiaries of these deals.

“I think we’ve shown with Tammy Abraham, and now Jay Dasilva in particular, that we can look after high-quality young players and develop them, which will mean it’s easier to secure the best quality loans both with Chelsea and some of the other top 8-10 Premier League clubs.”

Bristol City has spent the last four years steadily marching up the Championship table. If their trajectory holds they will be battling for a Premier League spot next season. Tomas Kalas has already led one successful promotion season on loan at Fulham.

If Chelsea do not have a worthwhile spot in the first-team for Tomas Kalas or Jay Dasilva, Bristol City checks nearly every box the club and players will consider when weighing a permanent move. The Blues can correct an overdue wrong (Kalas), avoid putting someone else through a similar experience (Dasilva) and lay the groundwork for future player development.