Chelsea Players out on Loan: Keep Them or Sell Them

Chelsea's search to find young talented players on a more extensive level begun in 2005, when Frank Arnesen was appointed as sporting director.

Since then, the recruitment of promising stars from all over the globe has been astonishing, and the Blues are finally reaping the rewards.

The West London club loaned out a whopping total of 24 players last season, with around 60 per cent going to top flight clubs both in England and in other top European leagues.

That number has grown this season, with no fewer than six Chelsea players joining their Dutch feeder club Vitesse Arnhem. Homegrown stars such as Lewis Baker and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have benefited, but for others it has had the adverse effect, with their future uncertain at the club due to the sheer numbers of players in the squad.

The likes of Miroslav Stoch, Michael Mancienne and Franco Di Santo have all left after joining as teenagers, highlighting the lack of opportunities they were given at Chelsea.

And today, we evaluate which players currently out on loan could be set for a bright future at the club, which could consequently make others surplus to requirements.

Nathaniel Chalobah

The young England Under-21 midfielder was one of the most impressive players in the Championship last season after spending the season on loan at Gianfranco Zola's Watford. Chalobah was influential, scoring five goals in 38 appearances as the Hornets reached the playoff final, only to lose 1-0 to Crystal Palace. 

And while many expected him to be on the fringes of the Chelsea first team this season, Jose Mourinho's summer spending has seen Chalobah moved out on loan once again, this time to Nottingham Forest. The 18-year-old is there at least until January but looks to have a bright future at Stamford Bridge, with his quality evident in his performances to date.

Verdict: KEEP

Romelu Lukaku

It came as no surprise to Blues fans when Chelsea decided to loan out Romelu Lukaku, one of the most in-form strikers in Europe last season, but the decision certainly came with a few grumbles of discontent. With a marvelous return of 17 Premier League goals last term while on loan at West Brom, the Belgian striker was tipped to impress at his parent club.

But after the club bought Samuel Eto'o and priced clubs out of signing out-of-favour striker Demba Ba, the decision was made to loan out the 20-year-old to Everton on transfer deadline day. And Roberto Martinez is already lapping up the rewards, with Lukaku scoring the winner in the 3-2 victory over West Ham. Even despite his second loan since joining for £18 million in 2011, it's clear Lukaku has an important part to play at Chelsea.

Verdict: KEEP

Oriol Romeu

One can't help but feel sorry for former Barcelona midfielder Oriol Romeu. The 21-year-old moved to Chelsea just a little over two years ago from the Catalan giants for £5 million but has struggled to keep fit, with long term injuries hampering his development.

The 22-year-old moved on loan to Valencia this season with a view to gaining some much-needed playing time, but he has barely featured for Los Che in the current campaign, with just one appearance so far. Romeu was quick to thank Mourinho for sending him out, appreciating the opportunity to gain some first-team action, but unless he makes a great deal of improvement, he could soon be on his way again next summer.

Verdict: SELL

Josh McEachran

Much was promised about the England Under-21 midfielder when he first broke onto the scene at Stamford Bridge, but injuries and frustrating loan spells have stunted his development, and concerns continue to surround whether he will make the grade at Chelsea.

However, the 21-year-old was taken on the tour of Asia and did play a part in some of the Blues' games, suggesting that he is part of Mourinho's plans. And even though he failed to secure a loan to a Premier League club, Chalobah's success at Watford provides a platform for McEachran to display his obvious ability and make an impression. He's still young, and there's no way Chelsea are going to give up on the youngster yet.

Verdict: KEEP

Lucas Piazon

Piazon is one of the most expensive teenagers in the club's history, and it goes without saying that a player of his potential will be staying at Chelsea for many years to come. The youngster, who arrived at the club from Sao Paulo in 2012 for £7 million plus some hefty add-ons, is highly rated by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.

And the evidence is there to suggest the Brazilian can become a household name. He spent a fruitful six months on loan at Malaga, where he helped the Andalusian side reach the Champions League semifinal. And for the 2013-14 campaign, he has been loaned to Vitesse, where he is already making a name for himself, scoring a last-gasp winner the 3-2 win over NEC Nijmegen. If he continues to develop at his current rate, he could well be in the Chelsea side next season. 

Verdict: KEEP

Gael Kakuta

Never has a player caused so much trouble for a club off the pitch without actually having any effect whatsoever on it than Gael Kakuta. The French midfielder, 22, joined from Ligue 1 outfit Le Havre in 2007, but FIFA ruled that both parties had breached the terms of the contract, meaning Chelsea had a transfer embargo placed upon them.

It was eventually lifted, but many expected Kakuta to progress during his time at the club. Six years on though, and the winger has failed to light up Stamford Bridge as expected. He fell out with coach Fred Rutten at Vitesse, where he was on loan last season. And after joining up with the Dutch side on loan again for the final year of his Chelsea contract, it seems unlikely he will be handed another.

Verdict: SELL

Ulises Davila

Signed after a strong showing at the Under-20 World Cup with Mexico, Davila is still yet to play a competitive game for Chelsea. He briefly played a part in the 2011 preseason tour but has largely spent his time at the club out on loan, with spells at Vitesse and Sabadell before a loan to Segunda side Cordoba for the 2013-14 campaign.

He's only scored four goals in his club career, while netting three in 11 games for Mexico's Under-23 side. And while there was originally much promise when he arrived two years ago, the 22-year-old's opportunities at Chelsea look limited, with a move away more likely. 

Verdict: SELL