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Taking stock on Chelsea’s whittled down loan army

By Travis Tyler

DUBLIN, IRELAND - JULY 10: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea is challenged by Robbie McCourt of Bohemians FC during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Bohemians FC and Chelsea FC at Dalymount Park on July 10, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND - JULY 10: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea is challenged by Robbie McCourt of Bohemians FC during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Bohemians FC and Chelsea FC at Dalymount Park on July 10, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Davide Zappacosta of Chelsea poses with the Emirates FA Cup Trophy following his sides victory in The Emirates FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Defenders

Baba Rahman: Real Mallorca

Once upon a time, Baba was seen as one of the best up and coming left backs in the world. Then he joined Chelsea in 2015/2016 and that went away. The following season he went on loan and was injured and he is still somewhat fighting back from that. Spain is just the latest stop in a long winding road to recovery for the leftback.

Trevoh Chalobah: Huddersfield

Chalobah has always been pretty well rated at Chelsea but Frank Lampard was not able to find a place for him this season. He returns to the Championship with newly relegated Huddersfield. Able to play in both the midfield and the defense, Chalobah is one to keep an eye on as he looks to establish himself further.

Jake Clarke-Salter: Birmingham City

On his day, Clarke-Salter lives up to the hype of being called the new John Terry. And while ultimately his loans often land on the good side, it is the bad days of indiscipline that has kept him bouncing around the same level for a few years. He needs a breakthrough season but he is worth watching to see how he keeps afloat.

Josh Grant: Plymouth Argyle

Grant is one of the most promising players coming out of the academy as he goes on to the Pilgrims. His brief time at Yeovil Town did not see much playing time, but the step up to Plymouth hints at something more. He captained many youth sides in his time and the Blues will be looking for great things from him.

Matt Miazga: Reading

Miazga rebounded well from his poor time in France while at Reading last season. It is expected that he will probably stay there longer term and the loan is a stepping stone to that. He has been around for a while and has taken some time to find his feet after leaving Major League Soccer, but he seems settled somewhere finally.

Richard Nartey: Burton Albion

Nartey was one of the big names featured in the u-18 academy side that won most everything available to them a few years ago. Last season he was in and out thanks to injury but he is now ready to go for his very first loan to Burton Albion. Any first loan is worth keeping an eye on as it may just be one of the biggest indicators of future success (though not a perfect one by any means).

Dujon Sterling: Wigan

On paper, Sterling is replacing Reece James at Wigan. Once upon a time, it seemed as though Antonio Conte viewed Sterling as a future right back for the squad, but his loan last season and James’ meteoric rise at Wigan changed that equation. Now Sterling will look to capture the same lightning in a bottle that James did, making him well worth a watch.

Davide Zappacosta: Roma

Speaking of James, it is a testament to how much Lampard rates him that Zappacosta was allowed to finally leave before James is even fully healed yet. Zappacosta was brought in last minute to plug a hole and his entire Chelsea career thus far has been waiting to leave, more or less. At Roma, he can show the Blues what they have been missing as he looks to trigger a move.

Juan Castillo: Ajax

Castillo was one of those players on the verge of leaving before Lampard came into the club. Unfortunately, he must have remained somewhat unconvinced as his loan to Ajax includes a buy clause. Able to play as both a winger and fullback, Castillo is one of the most exciting in the academy and worth paying attention to, though the buy clause will hang like an ax over any excitement around the kid.

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