Tough transfer market is good news for Chelsea youth seeking loans

The transfer market is expected to be tough this summer thanks to the ongoing crisis. Chelsea’s youth will find that good news as they seek loans.

The loan army is very much not what it used to be, but it is still sizable and there is a much greater focus on development for the first team now than there used to be. Players are no longer going out simply to raise their transfer value (though that of course still happens), but to actually become players Chelsea could eventually use.

This summer is expected to be unusual thanks to COVID-19. Clubs are suddenly shuffling around cash that was earmarked for transfer into other expenses. That means many clubs, if they are looking to strengthen, will be looking for the cheap options. That is where the loan army comes in.

The likes of Ian Maatsen, Tino Anjorin, Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, and especially Conor Gallagher can all start looking towards solid loans for next season. Much of the loan army can follow suit, provided Chelsea does their homework and makes the most of a bad situation.

The last three on that list are currently all in the Championship. Chalobah is on his second year in the Championship while the other two are on their first. Chalobah is all but certain to be angling for a Premier League loan next season whereas Gallagher has impressed enough at two separate Championship clubs just this season to get his own Premier League loan.

The other three have all been with the academy this season and will likely see themselves into the Championship for next season. With clubs looking for cheap deals, it is possible they get more than that. Of those three, Maatsen seems like the one that would attract the most Premier League attention.

But there is also the very real possibility that there will be no relegation this season, meaning next season could see a 23 team league. Those promoted clubs and those nearly relegated will be tightest for cash with the most to lose, so they may have to look at cheaper loans to reinforce. That would increase the likelihood some of Chelsea’s best loan army candidates end up in the Premier League.

Of course, a tough market will also affect Chelsea as well. Chelsea’s hunt for a new left back could fall to bits with few clubs willing to sell. Enter Maatsen. The Blues could struggle to find a flexible midfielder. Enter Gallagher. Chelsea could benefit from their own loan army and youth just as much as anyone. After all, is that not the point?

The groundwork for that needs to start being laid now. Even with promotion and relegation unknowns, as well as if football is resuming at all this season, Chelsea can start laying the ground work for next season. Perhaps Frank Lampard will want to get a look first, but otherwise these players could be heading to the Premier League sooner rather than later if all goes according to plan.