Chelsea have loaned out 38 players this summer to leagues all across the world, but which ones could hold their own in the Premier League?
With almost 40 players leaving Stamford Bridge on loan this summer, you would think that Chelsea could make up an entirely new and competitive team.
Here it what a Blues loan XI could look like.
Jamal Blackman (GK)
Not the best of starts for the team as young goalkeeper Jamal Blackman is currently enjoying a spell at League Two side Wycombe Wanderers, so probably wouldn’t quite cut it in the Premier League.
Part of Chelsea’s 2012 FA Youth Cup winning side, Blackman spent the second half of last season helping Östersunds FK to promotion from the Swedish second tier.
And out of Chelsea’s four loaned out keepers, the 6ft 6in stopper would still probably be the safest option to go for.
Wallace (RB)
A player who almost gets into the team by default as the only out-and-out right-back who left the Blues on loan, Wallace has experience playing at the top level in European leagues, as previous spells with Inter Milan and Vitesse Arnhem would suggest.
Currently at Brazilian side Gremio, the 22-year-old is still yet to appear in a competitive match for the Chelsea first team since his 2013 arrival but he could prove to be a decent player in the Premier League.
Andreas Christensen (CB)
Given that Chelsea have just re-signed David Luiz for £32m, you have to wonder why they didn’t just choose to keep hold of 20-year-old Danish international defender Andreas Christensen.
Currently playing his second season for Borussia Monchengladbach, Christensen was awarded the German outfit’s Player of the Year award as he helped them earn Champions League qualification as Chelsea were finishing mid-table in the Premier League.
Capable of getting in most Premier League starting XIs, the 6ft 2in Dane would undoubtedly be one of the strongest members of this side.
Nathan Ake (CB)
Ake is fast becoming a proven Premier League talent following loan spells at Watford and now Bournemouth.
The 21-year-old is capable of playing in a number of defensive positions and will be hoping to nail down a regular starting spot for the Blues in the coming seasons.
Baba Rahman (LB)
Ghanaian full-back Baba Rahman featured 23 times for Chelsea last season but has now been shipped out to German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 for the season.
The 22-year-old put in a string of positive performances during his first season at Stamford Bridge, though he did gift a goal to Southampton forward Shane Long back in February.
Nonetheless, Rahman is a left-back who has proven himself at the top level and would be a decent acquisition for any Premier League side.
Juan Cuadrado (RM)
Arguably the biggest name on this list, Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado has failed to make an impact at Chelsea following his big-money move from Fiorentina and has subsequently been loaned to Serie A Champions Juventus.
The three year loan deal effectively means the 28-year-old is unlikely to feature for the Blues again but there is still no doubting his talent as he helped The Old Lady to a league and cup double last season – even setting up Alvaro Morata’s Coppa Italia winner.
A fine goal against Bayern Munich (pictured above) in the Champions League just goes to show how good the Colombian can be.
Mario Pasalic (CM)
Another Serie A loanee, 21-year-old Mario Pasalic is spending the season at AC Milan after previous successful spells at Elche and Monaco.
The Croatian international has bagged 21 goals in his professional career already and is useful defensively as well, though he is still yet to feature for the Blues’ first team.
Not dissimilar to former Chelsea man Kevin De Bruyne, fans will be hoping Pasalic’s career at the club doesn’t end up the same way as the Belgian’s.
Kenedy (LM)
Brazilian wideman Kenedy is one of four Chelsea players to be loaned to other Premier League clubs as he looks to help keep Watford in the top flight.
The 20-year-old featured 20 times for the Blues last season, scoring two goals including his 39-second effort against Norwich City – the fastest Premier League goal of the season.
Capable of playing in a number of positions, Kenedy is set to make his debut for the Hornets following the international break and could well make a big impact at the club.
Charly Musonda (CAM)
Belgian attacking midfielder Charly Musonda has been enjoying a successful spell at Spanish side Real Betis since the start of the year.
The 19-year-old has impressed many with his performances for the La Liga outfit who were understandably very eager to extend the youngster’s deal at the club.
One of European football’s most exciting teenage prospects, it could only be a matter of time until Musonda starts making an impact in the Premier League.
Bertrand Traore (CAM)
Bertrand Traore bagged four goals for Chelsea last season but that didn’t stop them loaning him out to Dutch heavyweights Ajax for the season.
The 20-year-old previously enjoyed a hugely successful spell at fellow Eredivisie side Vitesse, scoring 20 goals over a season and a half at the club.
The Burkina Faso international has been showing plenty of promise and has already made an impact on the Premier League.
Loic Remy (ST)
Loic Remy has struggled to earn a regular starting spot for the Blues since his 2014 arrival from QPR but there is no doubting his usefulness as a Premier League goalscorer.
Scoring just one goal in 13 appearances last term, Remy had been overshadowed by the likes of Diego Costa and found himself further down the pecking order following the summer arrival of Michy Batshuayi.
A deadly finisher on his day, the Frenchman’s loan move to Crystal Palace will give his some much needed game time as well as the chance to impress once again.
Full XI (4-3-2-1): Blackman; Wallace, Christensen, Ake, Rahman; Cuadrado, Pasalic, Kenedy; Musonda, Traore; Remy
Substitutes: Patrick Bamford (ST), Christian Atsu (RW), Tomas Kalas (CB), Tammy Abraham (ST), Michael Hector (CB), Jeremie Boga (CAM), Kenneth Omeruo (CB)
This is no doubt a young and exciting team that could well compete in the Premier League, although they’d likely be fighting at the bottom of the table rather than the top.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
