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Chelsea are known for their unique system of loaning out young players. These players seldom make it into the first team. Many victims of the 'vicious loan cycle' are still under contract at Stamford Bridge, with no club willing to sign them permanently.
Chelsea consider the loan system as a win-win situation
Despite the system's many criticisms, the club see it as a win-win. The business model works brilliantly from a financial point of view. If a particular loan works out for a player, he makes it at Chelsea. Otherwise, the club recoups money in the form of loan fees. At the end of the cycle, the player either makes it at Chelsea or seals a permanent transfer away, which further earns the club transfer fees.
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The loan system has ruined several players' careers in the past. However, of late, it seems to have worked. Mason Mount, Reece James and Andreas Christensen are some of the success stories of the 'loan army' at Chelsea.
However, a number of players have neither impressed Thomas Tuchel, nor are they able to secure a permanent transfer away this summer. Such 'forgotten players' at Chelsea are mentioned in the following list:
#5 Lewis Baker
Lewis Baker joined Chelsea's academy at the age of nine. The former England U21 international is currently 26-years-old. He's played a grand total of three minutes of senior competitive football for Chelsea, which came as a substitute in the FA Cup in 2013-14.
The manner in which his career has unfolded is unfortunate. At youth level, Baker was touted as a future star. The English midfielder was technically gifted, creative and possessed incredible passing range. He won the Player of the Tournament at the NextGen series conducted in Italy in 2012-13, and was everpresent in the FA Youth Cup for the club.
Baker also netted the goal that sealed the U-21 Premier League title in 2013-14, and was named Chelsea's Young Player of the Year.
Following loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons, Baker was on loan at Vitesse. In the 2016-17 season, he was a midfield regular, scoring 15 goals in 39 appearances.
Ever since, Baker has not been able to break into the first team. He's had loan spells at Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Reading and Fortuna Dusseldorf, none of which have worked out.
Baker was on loan at Trabzonspor for the 2020-21 season and managed 34 appearances. With his contract due to expire in 2022, Chelsea will be hoping to cash in on him should any club make a permanent bid.
#4 Kenedy
Kenedy joined Chelsea in the summer of 2015 from Brazilian side Fluminese. He was initially a trialist in a pre-season game against Barcelona. Having impressed in that game, Chelsea decided to sign him permanently. Kenedy was a highly-rated prospect in Brazil and made 20 appearances in his debut season.
At Chelsea, he was considered an ideal left-back who liked to attack. On his debut against Walsall in the League Cup, Kenedy scored a goal and claimed an assist as well.
He continued his development in training and was handed decent minutes by Jose Mourinho as well as Guus Hiddink, who replaced the Portuguese manager. The 2015-16 season was one to forget for Chelsea fans, but a promising one for Kenedy.
However, a knee injury prevented him from gaining valuable minutes in the 2016-17 season. Following loan spells at Newcastle and Getafe, Kenedy joined Granada on loan for the 2020-21 campaign. The 25-year-old made 44 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish side last season.
Kenedy's contract with Chelsea runs until 2024, so another loan is likely on the horizon. Brazilian side Flamengo have reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign him on loan with an option to buy.
#3 Matt Miazga
Matt Miazga joined Chelsea from the New York Red Bulls in January 2016. The 25-year-old U.S. international made just two appearances for the remainder of the season.
Miazga had established himself as a tall, strong and reliable centre-back in Major League Soccer by 2015. His impressive performances caught the eye of Chelsea scouts, but he failed to break into the first team in his debut season.
Miazga joined Chelsea's feeder club Vitesse on loan for the 2016-17 season to aid his development. Following a promising year, the centre-back continued at the club for the subsequent campaign too. He's been on loan at Nantes, Reading and Anderlecht since. Over the course of the 2020-21 season, the American managed 33 appearances for the Belgian side.
His contract runs out in 2022, so Chelsea would prefer to sell him on a permanent basis this summer. Spanish side Deportivo Alaves have expressed interest in signing Miazga on loan for 2021-22.
#2 Baba Rahman
Abdul Baba Rahman was one of the recruits who formed part of Chelsea's infamous 2015-16 transfer window, joining from German side FC Augsburg. The season which followed was not pleasant either, as Jose Mourinho was sacked and Chelsea finished 10th. The left-back managed 23 appearances for Chelsea in his debut season, picking up two assists along the way.
His debut season was promising as he featured in the Premier League as well as the Champions League. After Filipe Luis' transfer in 2014-15 failed to work out, Chelsea needed a reliable left-back to compete with Azpilicueta. Baba Rahman seemed the perfect option at the time as the youngster had an excellent Bundesliga season with Augsburg.
The Ghanian full-back was on track to develop further the following season, but the arrival of Marcos Alonso deemed him surplus to requirements.
Baba Rahman returned on loan to the Bundesliga with Schalke for the 2016-17 campaign. The 27-year-old has since been on loan to Stade de Reims, RCD Mallorca and PAOK.
However, he has not been particularly impressive at any of those clubs. Injuries have also played their part in staggering his career; he's been on the sidelines for nearly two years in total due to knee injuries.
The Ghanian full-back has attracted interest from the Championship, as well as Greek clubs. With his contract set to expire in 2022, Baba Rahman is another player Chelsea will be hoping to sell on a permanent basis this window.
#1 Charly Musonda Jr.
Charly Musonda Jr. joined Chelsea's academy in 2012. The Belgian was one of the most exciting players at youth level. Towards the end of the 2013-14 season, Musonda had already played for the Under-19s and well as the Under-21s.
By the age of 18, Musonda was a regular on the Under-21s side. He also played a key role as Chelsea won the 2014-15 UEFA Youth League for the first time, beating Shakhtar Donetsk in the final.
Musonda's first loan move was with Real Betis in January 2016. After a promising start, his loan was extended for the following season too. However, the loan agreement was terminated in January 2017.
Musonda remained at Chelsea for the remainder of the season and also in the first half of the 2017-18 campaign, making seven appearances in all competitions.
He headed to Scotland with Celtic in January 2018, which did not work out. At the beginning of the 2018-19 season, he joined Chelsea's feeder club Vitesse in the Eredevisie.
Ever since, injuries have ruined his career. Musonda has been out of competitive action since 2019 following knee surgery.
Since being told he could never play football again, the 24-year-old has worked incredibly hard to regain match fitness. Chelsea will look at potential suitors for the winger this window, after aiding his rehabilitation process over the past two years.
