How Chelsea’s 28 loan stars have fared this season from highly-rated Ampadu to flops Drinkwater and Bakayoko
CHELSEA have endured a rollercoaster of a debut season under Frank Lampard. After a 4-0 crushing at Manchester United on the opening day of the season, the Blues went on an incredible run. At one point, Lampard’s young crop of stars – with the transfer ban still in place – were up there with the […]
CHELSEA have endured a rollercoaster of a debut season under Frank Lampard.
After a 4-0 crushing at Manchester United on the opening day of the season, the Blues went on an incredible run.
At one point, Lampard’s young crop of stars – with the transfer ban still in place – were up there with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
But things fell away drastically around Christmas as they fell off the pace, but still almost certain to clinch a top-four spot.
This summer, with the transfer ban already lifted in January, Lampard is set to splash £300million in a monster overhaul.
Yet Lampard will already welcome no fewer than 28 PLAYERS, thanks to the numbers of players currently away from the club on loan.
With the summer quickly approaching, we take at how all 28 have fared this season, from goals galore to off-pitch drama…
ETHAN AMPADU (RB Leipzig)
ONE of Chelsea’s many talented youngsters, Welsh star Ampadu is one fans are most excited about.
The defender – who can also play in midfield – was shipped out on loan to German giants Leipzig last summer.
Unfortunately, he’s not been afforded the first-team experience they’d hoped – with other Bundesliga sides, like Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim, taking more of a chance on British kids down the years.
Ampadu has played just three times in the league this season, while adding two appearances in the Champions League.
Currently recovering from a back injury that’s kept him out since February, it’s fair to say this season hasn’t gone as well as Ampadu – or Chelsea – would have hoped.
Perhaps the Blues would have been better off keeping him this season – he would certainly have had more game-time in the West Londoners’ inconsistent defence this season.
TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO (Monaco)
ESSENTIALLY told he has no future under Lampard, Bakayoko was shipped off to Monaco – the club where he enjoyed such success pre-Chelsea.
The French midfielder has been a regular for the Ligue 1 giants, playing 21 times this season – scoring once and picking up one red card.
While his form has improved, he’s unlikely to be given a shot at Stamford Bridge next season.
DANNY DRINKWATER (Aston Villa & Burnley)
THE less said the better, really…
Drinkwater spent the first half of the season at Burnley, playing just twice – and only once in the Premier League.
Since joining Aston Villa, he’s played a mere four times – with his first game at Villa Park the 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Man City.
His most-famous moments of the season have all come off the pitch, with Drinkwater embroiled in a host of controversies – including a nightclub brawl and head-butting his own team-mate.
CONOR GALLAGHER (Swansea & Charlton)
LIKE Ampadu, Gallagher is a player Chelsea have high hopes for.
And he’s already enjoyed a marathon season, playing 36 times during spells at Championship sides Charlton and now Swansea, with all his appearances coming in the league.
The midfielder has scored six times and is in line for a shot at first-team football at Chelsea next season.
DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA (Roma)
ALREADY behind Cesar Azpilicueta in the pecking order going into the season, Zappacosta was allowed to leave thanks to the emergence of Reece James on loan at Wigan last season.
But the Italian managed just ONE game for the Rome giants, before a calf injury saw him miss a month.
Before even stepping out on the pitch again, he ruptured his cruciate ligament in October and has been out ever since.
Looks unlikely to break back into the Chelsea XI and should be sold.
KENEDY (Getafe)
DESPITE unsuccessful loans at Watford and Newcastle down the years, Kenedy has been performing well in Spain.
The Brazilian, still only 24, has played 24 times this season for the LaLiga side, scoring three times.
Unlikely to break into the first-team behind the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic in the squad.
But with Chelsea’s left-back spot so weak – with Marcos Alonso and Emerson set to be sold – he could be given a shot in a more defensive role next season.
VICTOR MOSES (Fenerbahce & Inter Milan)
A FORMER Premier League player at Inter Milan… how refreshing.
Moses actually started the season on loan at Fenerbahce, but was limited to just six appearances scoring once – on his debut no less.
The Nigerian has had more game-time since heading to Italy in January, turning out seven times in all competitions already.
Unlikely to be given a shot back at Chelsea in Lampard’s youthful revolution.
MARC GUEHI (Swansea)
WITH two appearances for Chelsea this season already, both in the Carabao Cup, Guehi is absolutely in Lampard’s plans.
The defender joined Stoke in January, where he played five times before the season was suspended, including the 4-4 thriller against Hull.
MARIO PASALIC (Atalanta)
THE Croatian midfielder, 25, has been in superb form for the Serie A high-fliers this season, scoring seven times in 33 games, including during their impressive Champions League run.
Pasalic even scored in the 1-1 draw with Man City en route to their spot in the quarter-finals – whenever they will be played – and could push for a spot at Stamford Bridge next term.
But reports claim he could be sold to the Italian side in a permanent £12.5m deal this summer.
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CHARLY MUSONDA (Vitesse Arnhem)
PLAYED three times in August at the very start of the season, but Musonda’s hot start to the season was brutally cut short after undergoing surgery on his knee.
Having missed essentially all of 2019-20, he’s likely to head out on loan against next season.
NATHAN (Atletico Mineiro)
THE midfielder has played just ten times and at the age of 24 can no longer hide behind the “promising youngster” tag and will likely be sold or loaned out again.
DUJON STERLING (Wigan)
PLAYED just ten times this season, nine of those matches came between October 23 and January 4. The 20-year-old is unlikely to play for Chelsea next season and could be loaned out again.
TREVOH CHALOBAH (Huddersfield)
A NEAR ever-present fro the Championship side this season, Chalobah been in solid form in the defender/defensive midfielder, 20, will certainly be on Lampard’s radar.
JAKE CLARKE-SALTER (Birmingham)
THE centre-back, 22, has somewhat been kept in the shadow of 16-year-old wondered Jude Bellingham at Birmingham this season – scoring once in 18 matches.
MATT MIAZGA (Reading)
The 6ft 4in defender has played 22 times for the Championship club this season, but at 24-years-old he’s unlikely to ever break into the Chelsea first-team.
IZZY BROWN (Luton)
AN integral part of the Hatters’ XI this year, Brown, 23, has played 25 times – but looks unlikely to break into the Chelsea midfield any time soon.
GEORGE McEACHRAN (SC Cambuur)
PLAYED just twice since joining the Dutch second-tier side in January – after 14 PL2 appearances for Chelsea’s Under-23s this season – the younger brother of Josh is unlikely to play for the Blues next season, but should be loaned out again.
LUCAS PIAZON (Rio Ave)
THE forward has played just 11 times this season, scoring only two goals, and looks unlikely to play for Chelsea again.
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NATHAN BAXTER (Ross County)
NOW on his fifth loan deal away from Chelsea, the goalkeeper, 21, has been limited to just 11 games after injuring his shoulder earlier in the season. Set for another loan next term.
JAMAL BLACKMAN (Bristol Rovers)
ANOTHER goalkeeper, Blackman, 26, has played ten times since joining the League One side in January but is unlikely to see the Chelsea first-team.
BABA RAHMAN (Real Mallorca)
A KNEE injury has limited Rahman to just two appearances this season, but he is now fit – only for coronavirus to suspend the season. Could be considered for the Blues’ left-back spot.
JOSH GRANT (Plymouth)
THE defender, 21, has played 30 times this season – but he’ll need to take a step up from League Two to be considered for Chelsea any time soon.
RICHARD NARTEY (Burton)
ANOTHER defender, Nartey, 21, has played 29 times this season for the League One side with another loan on the cards for 2020-21.
JUAN CASTILLO (Ajax)
FAILED to make a single appearance for the senior side, but the midfielder has played 23 times in the youth team, laying on five assists – at a club who are famous for developing youngsters, no less.
DANILO PANTIC (MOL Vidi)
THE midfielder has played 11 times, adding one assist, for the Hungarian high-fliers, who sit second in the top-flight.
JACOB MADDOX (Tranmere & Southampton)
SENT to Tranmere on a season-long deal, it was cut short after the England Under-20s international played just twice – both in the Football League Trophy.
Now part of the Southampton Under-23s squad on loan with a view to a permanent move this summer.
CHARLIE BROWN (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise)
SPENT the first half of the season in the Under-23s, making 14 appearances in the PL2 – now in the second-tier of Belgian football, where he’s played three times.
The attacker won’t be Snoopy-ing around the Chelsea first-team any time soon.
IKE UGBO (Roda JC)
THE hot prospect, 21, has been on fire in the Dutch second tier, scoring 13 times in 28 games this season.
Next term may be too soon for a Chelsea look-in, but another loan move – perhaps to a higher level of football – could be just the ticket.