How Chelsea’s promising loanees have fared this season
This evening Chelsea fans are in burning anticipation of the Europa League return leg in London. It’s the game that will put the Blues in the final.
It’s also possibly Eden Hazard’s final game at the Bridge and naturally he will want to score as a nice send-off gift to fans. (Redbet sportsbook has him at 6.00 to score a brace or more)
However, what’s more pressing for Chelsea is the impending disaster that is the two-year transfer ban handed by FIFA. As Chelsea’s appeals have been dismissed, things are starting to look grim for next season.
That means Chelsea’s only hope to strengthen their squad is to look inward to their own loaned out players.
In the light of that here are some of the most promising Chelsea loanees that shined this season:
Tammy Abraham
After a series of disappointing flops, could Chelsea solve their striker problem with a player from their very own academy?
Tammy Abraham stands as Championship’s top scorer with 25 goals to his tally, making him the first Aston Villa player with 25 goals in a season in four decades.
His equally impressive season a couple of years back at Bristol City confirms he isn’t a one-season wonder and proves he can score.
Maurizio Sarri should seriously consider making room for Abraham next season, lest he becomes another Lukaku who leaves frustrated due to lack of playing time.
Reece James
Another revelation from Chelsea’s loan group this season, the 19-year-old wing-back Reece James is returning from a brilliant loan spell at Wigan, where he helped the Latics escape relegation.
Next season he would probably fit Chelsea’s system in the right-back position as a great deputy to the captain Azpilicueta.
James seems like a real blessing to the Blues amidst their transfer ban woes. He is likely to join the team on the pre-season tour in Japan given he’s already trained with the first team at Cobham grounds.
Mason Mount
A notable name in the ranks of Blues’ loan army, Mason Mount has been crucial to Derby’s push for promotion this year. Arguably one of Lampard’s most critical players this season, Mount returned from injury to help the team reach the play-off spots.
Before his current spell, Mount had a brilliant season at Vitesse where he deservedly earned the Vitesse Player of The Year award.
This proves he has earned enough experience to offer some options during Chelsea’s upcoming transfer-ban-stricken season.
Kurt Zouma
Kurt Zouma seemed like the perfect replacement for John Terry at the time he became a starter in the team. Everything was going well for the French full-back until
that horrid injury in 2016 set him back and lead to him being loaned out to prove his fitness.
Zouma did exactly that, first at Stoke City and now at Everton, where his brilliant defending effectively kept out the £30m Yerri Mina. Recently he was also called up for the National team over City’s Laporte.
Given the circumstances, now seems to be the perfect time for Chelsea to welcome Zouma back into the team, much to Marco Silva’s dissatisfaction.
Honourable mentions
Other notable names in Chelsea’s loan group are: Tomori (Derby), Baxter (Yeovil), Pasalic (Atalanta), Baker (Reading), Miazga (Reading), Hector (Sheffield Wednesday), Aina (Torino), Omeruo (Leganes) and Angban (Metz).
