Sports Mole takes a look at how Chelsea’s 20 players out on loan have performed in the early weeks of the 2024-25 season.
Chelsea‘s encouraging start to the season with what now feels like a settled squad under Enzo Maresca has put a positive spin on recent developments at Stamford Bridge.
However, to reach a position where the West Londoners now appear to be on an upward trajectory, their recruitment team has had to combine the wide array of incomings with a whole host of departures.
Whether it be senior or academy players, as many as 21 unwanted squad members were sold during the summer, but a further 20 players were also found new homes on a temporary basis.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how those players in question have fared out on loan, whether that be in England, Europe or elsewhere.
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Strasbourg link-up benefitting everyone
Much has been made of BlueCo purchasing Strasbourg in order to start building a multi-club model, it clear from the outset that several players from Chelsea would be moving to France.
As it stands, though, it is proving to be as mutually beneficial as anticipated, with goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, defender Caleb Wiley and midfielder Andrey Santos all making an impact.
Strasbourg are yet to lose in four matches with Petrovic between the sticks, while Santos has been one of the most impressive performers in Ligue 1 during 2024-25 with three goals from six games coming from midfield.
Defender Wiley had been in line to hold down a starting spot in the long term, but knee problems have kept him sidelined since featuring in the first three matches of the campaign.
Diego Moreira left Chelsea for Strasbourg on a permanent basis, yet there is further evidence that the partnership is working with the young Portuguese having starred in an unfamiliar full-back role.
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Premier League loans yet to work out
Chelsea were able to loan five players to various Premier League clubs before the end of the transfer window, including Raheem Sterling to Arsenal.
As it stands, the England international has only made two starts and three substitute outings, but context is required having only been able to feature after the September international break.
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has four starts under his belt at Bournemouth, while Lesley Ugochukwu has four starts and one substitute outing in all competitions at Southampton.
Trevoh Chalobah has finally shrugged off an injury to make his Crystal Palace against Liverpool last weekend, playing his part in the Eagles only losing 1-0 to the top-flight leaders.
However, Armando Broja is yet to overcome an Achilles issue and is bidding to return at some point after the October international break.
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Mixed bag elsewhere
In the Championship, Chelsea are getting value for sending defensive duo Alfie Gilchrist and Bashir Humphreys to Sheffield United and Burnley respectively.
Gilchrist has made eight starts and one substitute outing in an unbeaten Blades outfit, while Burnley have not conceded a goal in any of Bashir Humphreys’ four starts.
There are several player currently plying their trade in League One, including American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina who has made nine starts for a team in Barnsley who are in 11th place in the table.
At Shrewsbury Town, midfielder Leo Castledine has scored twice in seven appearances, with Dylan Williams being used in nine matches at equally-struggling Burton Albion.
Fellow Chelsea youngster Ronnie Stutter was only used for the first time by the Brewers when coming off the substitutes’ bench last weekend.
Goalkeeper Eddie Beach‘s only appearance for Crawley Town has come in the EFL Trophy, but fellow stopper Teddy Sharman-Lowe has made nine starts for Doncaster Rovers in League Two, only conceding 12 goals.
Over in Turkey, David Datro Fofana has accumulated just 30 minutes of football across two substitute outings for Goztepe, although he did score the winner in a 3-2 triumph over Sivasspor prior to the international break.
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Meanwhile, Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino is finally putting together a prolonged run of games for Boca Juniors, featuring in the most recent seven league matches.
While just one clean sheet has been recorded during that time, Boca Juniors have gone six successive league games without conceding more than twice in a single contest.
England Under-18 international Ted Curd has made 10 outings for National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough, and another teenager goalkeeper in Luke Campbell is making regular appearances for Hendon in the Isthmian Premier Division.