With Calum Chambers seemingly on his way to Middlesbrough, it’s time to look at players who have gained experience from their loan spells..
Harry Kane
Competing with the likes of Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, the only way for Kane to gain experience was a loan, however he probably spent more time out at other clubs than anticipated.
The forward endured four spells away from White Hart Lane at the likes of Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City, and despite only scoring 13 goals in total the time spent playing and training for a first team place certainly helped the striker in the long run.
After coming back from his last loan spell at Leicester City, it still took Kane another season to write his name on the Tottenham team-sheet where he scored 21 goals in 34 games for the club and was able to improve on his best tally last term by finding the net 25 times in 38 appearances.
He’s become a mainstay in the Tottenham side and a crucial part of the club’s and manager Maurcio Pochettino’s plans in the future as well as being part of the England senior set-up.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane applauds fans after the game
Jesse Lingard
Another player who has experienced being on loan at four clubs is Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, whose career has been aided with the help of the loan system.
Loans at Leicester City, Birmingham City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Derby County, playing 49 times over the four spells, ensured the wide man came back for the 2015/16 season ready to compete for a starting place at United under Louis Van Gaal.
Last campaign we saw a breakthrough season for Lingard who featured 25 times for the Reds scoring four times including a stunning winner in the 2016 FA Cup Final.
Jesse Lingard celebrates scoring the second goal for Derby
Ashley Cole
Arguably one of the best left-backs in recent years, even Ashley Cole spent the start of his career with a short loan spell to Crystal Palace.
After breaking into the Arsenal first-team, Arsene Wenger loaned Cole to the Eagles in the 1999/00 season where he featured 14 times to gain regular minutes, which certainly benefited the full-back the following season.
Once stamping his name down in the side he was able to keep his place in the team even when Brazilian Sylvinho regained full fitness.
During his time at the Gunners he won the league title twice as well as three FA Cup winner’s medals.
Ashley Cole – AS Roma
Jack Wilshere
After appearing for the Arsenal side coming on off the bench as early as 16 years old, it was a matter of when not if Jack Wilshere started to become a regular in the side.
In January 2010, the midfielder was loaned out to Bolton Wanderers for the remainder of the season where he played 14 times including 13 starts for the club scoring one goal away to West Ham United. After impressing at Bolton, the club tried their best to loan the midfielder for the whole of the next season, but they failed to lure Arsenal into a deal.
It was arguably the kick start of his career which got the midfielder used to playing regular football in the Premier League. Despite having a injury-hit career so far, on his day he is a key player for Arsene Wenger’s side and England.
Samir Nasri (L) – Arsenal celebrates after scoring his teams second goal with Jack Wilshere
Andros Townsend
Certainly a player who has benefited from the loan system is Andros Townsend who has experienced a staggering nine loans at the likes of Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Ipswich, Watford, Millwall, Leeds United, Birmingham City and QPR.
After an impressive spell at Loftus Road with QPR his performances forced himself into the plans at Tottenham and in the 2013/14 season came his turning point where he was considered a Premier League player.
Townsend played 25 times for the Lilywhites that season with his performances gaining him a call-up for the national side where he scored a crucial goal against Montenegro to help England qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
Despite it not working out in the long term at White Hart Lane the winger has been involved with transfers to Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.
QPR’s Andros Townsend
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
