Stephen Walker discusses the advantages that derive from a lengthy loan spell away from the club.
This season’s Chelsea starting side features something exciting- three players that have graduated from their vast loan army. Thibaut Courtois, Victor Moses, and Andreas Christensen have all been through different loan moves that eventually resulted in Antonio Conte choosing to keep all three in this year’s squad. While Victor Moses bounced from club to club during loans from Chelsea, Courtois and Christensen provide the club with a very promising example of a new path for transfer academy players to the senior squad.
Courtois and Christensen both enjoyed lengthy spells at Atletico Madrid and Borussia Mönchengladbach respectively, and this could be key to future players breaking into the Chelsea first team. One of the biggest perks of these lengthy spells is that it allows a manager to select these players knowing that he won’t have to shift tactics or formations after 6-12 months. It’s fair to say that some permanent transfers barely last two years anyway before they move on.
There are of course two downsides to multiple year loan moves to a club. One of the problems that could arise is something that Chelsea still faces. While Chelsea contains one of the top 5 goalkeepers in the world, his heart has not been fully settled in West London. Courtois’s children have remained in Madrid, and even though he has been professional since his return, it is clear to see why he would welcome a return to the Spanish capital. Should he ever return to Madrid, whether it be Real or Atletico, I hope Chelsea acknowledge his achievements and support him in the future- unless they are facing Chelsea of course.
The second problem these lengthy loans create is a bit more atypical. In the year deemed as the “Annus Horribilis”, Chelsea struggled while fielding an ageing Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry while Andreas Christensen became the team’s Player of the Season at Bundesliga’s Borussia Mönchengladbach. He won the award after helping his loan side to a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification. He was chosen for the award ahead of team captain Granit Xhaka- just another example of Chelsea finishing above Arsenal.
Multiple year loan deals are not the only thing that Blues needs to focus on; the Chelsea Board has to find top clubs for top players. To break into the senior squad, academy players need more experience than just featuring on a weekly basis at Chelsea’s feeder clubs Vitesse Arnhem and PSV Eindhoven. Even though this allows them to move abroad and experience full-time senior football, the competition for places and quality of the opposition does not improve the loanee’s chances of securing a place in their parent team’s senior squad.
For instance, Mason Mount could be sharpened if he were placed in a new Schalke side that will have a Leon Goretzka-sized hole this upcoming season. At only 19, he would face top competition for places in the starting XI, could qualify for UEFA Champions League, and would play in a league that is very similar to the Premier League.
A second player who could significantly use an extended loan is Dujon Sterling. The only debating factor here is whether or not Antonio Conte is going to stay longer. Should Conte sign a new contract, which seems highly unlikely according to the feelings around the club, the Sterling could benefit from a loan move to an Italian side such as Lazio or Atalanta that deploy wingbacks as part of their formation. Otherwise, Sterling could do well with a move to Spain where he could face the best sides in the world while competing with other right backs at Sevilla or Villareal. His speed and power is something that needs to be harnessed, and what better way than by moulding him in the Italian defender way or forcing him to face Real Madrid and Barcelona mixed with European competition?
These are two players that could go on to do great things at Chelsea if they are adequately treated and progress appropriately. Should Charly Musonda’s 18-month loan spell at Celtic also work out, then I believe that Chelsea could seriously have found a formula to help create an assembly line from the academy to senior football. The only question now- what will the board do with all the money they saved from promoting within?
Written by Stephen Walker – @tosserofcoin
