5 EPL players who shouldn't be out on loan

Another January transfer window came and went; another busload of Chelsea youths spread far and wide. The loan system in football seems, on paper, a fantastic initiative, a way for players not in the first-team action to gain experience or game time, and it is used for these purposes often.

Several England internationals have undergone loan moves earlier in their career, like Daniel Sturridge, who enjoyed a productive spell on loan at Bolton Wanderers from then-club Chelsea: 8 league goals in just 12 appearances followed and the striker had shown exactly what he was capable of to his employers.

Danny Welbeck, similarly, played well enough during his loan season with Sunderland to convince Manchester United that he had a future in their squad.

The loan system, however, has been prone to abuse, especially by certain clubs, who could field strong starting XI's of players they've sent elsewhere. Scott Sinclair - of course from Chelsea - was forced to go to 6 different clubs, instead of being given an opportunity to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

That same club has made Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem virtually into their reserve side, with numerous youngsters moving there each campaign. This slideshow, then, looks at 5 current EPL footballers who shouldn't be out on loan (this could have been restricted just to Chelsea but was limited to 2 players!).

#5 Ademola Lookman (Everton)

After Lookman went against his manager's orders and arranged a loan transfer to RB Leipzig in Germany, Sam Allardyce condemned the idea in the media; the winger promptly then went and scored the winning goal late in his first Bundesliga game against Borussia Monchengladbach. It was an ironic twist but Lookman should have never been sent out on loan to any club.

During the U-20 World Cup last summer, he was a standout as England surprisingly won the tournament, scoring 3 goals and impressing with his all-around play. Everton had secured his signature before then after Lookman's performances in League 1 with Charlton belied his youthful inexperience and 2017/2018 looked set to be a big year for him, his first full campaign in the EPL. Everton's spending spree must have been disheartening and in the chaos of the Ronald Koeman era, chances were slim, but whenever he was called upon, Lookman excited fans with his energy and enthusiasm.

His fellow England U-21 teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed considerable time in the Everton first team but the opportunities just haven't been afforded to Lookman, despite his obvious ability. He was confident enough to believe he can shine at the team in 2nd place in the Bundesliga; aged just 21, there's every reason to expect Lookman to return to England and show Allardyce and Everton just what they were missing out on next season.

#4 Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea)

The Englishman's large frame allows him to dominate the midfield

The first Chelsea representative, Loftus-Cheek has been talked about for years now as one of the English football's most exciting prospects without ever getting a full chance to prove it. He was a tall player blessed with surprising grace on the ball, a dominating presence still capable of precision and intuitiveness in possession, and the player seemed primed to be a central midfielder for club and country.

After making his senior debut in the 2014/2015 season, Loftus-Cheek racked up only 22 league appearances over the next 3 seasons, always performing admirably when called upon without ever getting a consistent run.

His first loan move was sanctioned last summer by Antonio Conte, to Crystal Palace, and throughout the campaign, he's been one of their brightest players. Throughout their difficult first half of the campaign, Loftus-Cheek stood above his teammates, a calm and effective performer. He was rewarded by England manager Gareth Southgate with his first full international caps in November, the ripe reward for his talented showings.

Nothing has indicated that Danny Drinkwater or Ross Barkley, those who took his place in the Chelsea squad, offer anything better than Loftus-Cheek, and he will feel that he could have become a first-team regular had Conte placed more trust in him. It bears similarities to Paul Pogba's departure to Juventus when Sir Alex Ferguson opted to play Phil Jones and Fabio ahead of him in a league game in 2011, citing he wasn't ready. The same fate shouldn't await Loftus-Cheek however, and he should fully expect to be given more of a chance next season at Stamford Bridge.

#3 Pablo Maffeo (Manchester City)

Maffeo keeps his eye on Cristiano Ronaldo during battle

Known to all, Pep Guardiola has spent a small fortune on players over the past 2 seasons for Manchester City (a startling fact was that he's spent more already than Arsene Wenger has during his whole tenure at Arsenal). Some, like goalkeeper Ederson and left winger Leroy Sane, have come into the first team and enhanced it greatly, Ederson a world-class sweeper keeper and Sane is perhaps boasting one of the best left-foots since Ryan Giggs in his prime. Others, though, have seen little action despite arriving for a huge fee and the feeling is that they have blocked the path to the first team for several talented youth players.

One such example is Pablo Maffeo, on loan in La Liga with Girona. Now in his 3rd season at that club, he helped them gain promotion from the Segunda Division last season but hasn't looked out of place in the top tier.

He has made 17 league appearances already as Girona have surprised everyone by maintaining a mid-table position, and has looked mature beyond his years. Just 20, Maffeo looks set to be a controlled and effective right-back for the next decade.

Maffeo gained media attention earlier in the campaign when he admirably man-marked Lionel Messi as his side played Barcelona, keeping to his task well and ensuring the icon didn't get on the score sheet.

While Kyle Walker's certainly the best option at right-back for Manchester City, Danilo also arrived last summer as cover for the England international and while he has performed fine, there's nothing to suggest that Maffeo couldn't have provided the requisite cover Guardiola was looking for. Strong in the tackle, versatile, and resilient, Maffeo should be challenging Walker in the near-future.

#2 Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea)

Batshuayi in action against Atalanta in the Europa League

The most high-profile case and definitely most shocking, Batshuayi has started his loan move at Borussia Dortmund electrically: he scored twice on his league debut, twice in the Europa League against Atalanta, and already has 5 goals in just 6 games. He's a mere 4 goals away from equaling his total league tally over 2 campaigns in London.

This is not to say that Batshuayi was a failure at Chelsea because, in fairness, he wasn't given nearly enough chances by Conte. He arrived in 2016 after an incredible season with Marseille, where he fired 23 goals in 50 appearances, almost a goal per game. Many likened him to Chelsea icon Didier Drogba for his strength, hold-up play and charisma, so hopes were naturally high but it just hasn't worked out for the Belgian yet.

He's been the reserve striker, whether, behind Diego Costa or Alvaro Morata and, even when the latter was playing poorly, a consistent first-team chance was never presented to Batshuayi. The man signed to replace him as a back-up, Olivier Giroud, has started woefully, in contrast to Dortmund's gain, and the suspicion is that Giroud is far too similar to Morata in style of play: both are slow, aerial presences and neither offer the skill or speed that Batshuayi does. If he continues his current form, the striker will make Conte look very foolishly indeed, and Chelsea fans may be clamouring for his return next season.

#1 Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Manchester United)

Fosu-Mensah has improved Crystal Palaces' struggling defense this season

Another Crystal Palace loan man, Fosu-Mensah has been a permanent fixture in the team's back line and looked good despite their poor form. His versatility is immense: Fosu-Mensah can play anywhere in defense, and is also effective in the central midfield. He's a modern-day all-rounder and this versatility will prove attractive to managers during his career.

It initially seemed to suit Jose Mourinho, as he played the Dutchman in 4 fixtures during 2016/2017 with Fosu-Mensah mightily impressive. He was powerful, confident, and looked like he'd been playing in the EPL for many years. Typical of Mourinho, though, and Fosu-Mensah wasn't given the chance to stay and fight for his place this season.

Given Manchester United's troubles in defense at various points, this seems somewhat unwise. New signing Victor Lindelof has started uncomfortably and looks out of his depth for now; the clueless Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have continued their habit of playing well one week and utterly shocking the next. Antonio Valencia at right-back has been a great servant for his club but, at 32, will be needing to be replaced in the short-term and Fosu-Mensah should be in line to succeed him. One hopes that his performances for Crystal Palace this season will have been noticed by Mourinho and he won't feel the need to loan him out for another spell.