5 Premier League loanees who could shine in 2018 

The loan system has become something which a lot of the big teams have adopted wholeheartedly. Chelsea, with over 30 players currently out on loan, is one side that has converted the business into an effective cash cow to fund future transfers and improve finances too.

With the Premier League becoming increasingly tough as clubs persist in their search for ever-improving progression, top teams cannot afford to take any chances with less experienced players, meaning it'd be beneficial that their development is not stalled and instead they're given chances elsewhere.

Young players coming through from the academy have seemingly little chance of making their mark on the big stage. The loan system helps clubs to retain their top talents whilst giving the youngsters and other fringe players much-needed first-team minutes, where they can track statistics and performances to gauge whether or not their full potential will be reached.

The best case scenario for clubs is that players loaned out develop well and prove they're good enough to be slotted into the first-team with no issues. If an academy player is able to do this, they'd save plenty of money on potential transfers as a result.

In a transfer market as inflated as it currently is, getting a fantastic youngster for free is a huge bonus. Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Andreas Christensen are just three more recent instances where top clubs have benefited from a youngster's ability coming through from their respective academies.

With that in mind, here is a list of players from the Premier League's top sides who have been loaned out in 2017/18 and have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to their sides going forward in 2018.

#5 Kurt Zouma (Stoke, on-loan from Chelsea)

West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City - Premier League

Chelsea have struggled defensively recently and are in desperate need of a reliable centre-back. John Terry's departure last season, though inevitable, has left a gaping hole in terms of leadership while Gary Cahill's faltering form continues to haunt the Englishman's displays at the back.

David Luiz's long-term future is not certain in west London either, with Cesar Azpilicueta the only reliable and consistent figure at the heart of Chelsea's defence in recent seasons.

In comes Zouma. Very impressive during the 2015/16 campaign, he helped the team to keep eight clean sheets in 23 league fixtures before sustaining a lengthy injury during their 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

Rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, he was sidelined for nine months and only just returned to full fitness on the eve of 2017.

He signed a long-term contract with the Blues until 2023 just before signing a season-long loan deal at Stoke last summer, meaning they believe he does have a long future at the club.

The Potters have had a rough campaign thus far and even still, Zouma's presence has helped them to keep four clean sheets. Arguably their best defender, the Frenchman has played in all but three of their league fixtures this term to date - they conceded 12 in that time.

#4 Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Crystal Palace, on-loan from Manchester United)

Fosu-Mensah (left) in action against Burnley earlier this season

Manchester United will potentially look to making a defensive overhaul in the summer, with a look forward to the future of their backline.

If the Red Devils are to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League in the years ahead, they need to strengthen. Chris Smalling, despite his improvement, appears the player most likely to make way given just how inconsistent he is when it matters most.

Their reliance on Eric Bailly is evident for everyone to see and frankly, the jury is still out on whether Victor Lindelof is good enough to start every week for a team with such high ambitions.

Phil Jones meanwhile, appears to be the Ivorian's best partner in central defence but it's important that they have back-up options with plenty of fixtures and rotation an important forethought.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah is an academy graduate, currently out on-loan at Crystal Palace. Despite being a part of the side who lost nine consecutive league matches, critics have been full of praise for his displays and the honest manner in which he criticises his own performances too.

Fast, strong and continuously improving, Fosu-Mensah's versatility to play at right-back as well as defensive midfield means he's an attractive option going forward for Jose Mourinho to genuinely consider.

It'd be a surprise to see him play regularly in bigger matches for United just yet, but if he continues to impress in south London, there's no reason why he cannot establish himself as a first-team regular for United once this season is over.

#3 Pablo Maffeo (Girona, on-loan from Manchester City)

Maffeo in action against Real Madrid, blocking a Cristiano Ronaldo attempt on goal

Loaned out to La Liga side Girona, Pablo Maffeo is a Manchester City player and a promising youngster who also boasts versatility, just like the aforementioned Fosu-Mensah.

Usually operating as a right-back but equally capable of playing further forward on the wing, the 20-year-old has been at City since joining their academy for a reported £90,000 from Espanyol in the summer of 2013.

After a few encouraging performances for City's first-team last term, he really came into the fore recently after successfully man-marking both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in domestic fixtures this season.

He has the potential to be a very good player, one that Pep Guardiola could rely upon in future, but it'll be interesting to see whether his compatriot will grant him first-team opportunities next season with squad depth an ever-increasing headache for the league leaders to consider.

#2 Divock Origi (VfL Wolfsburg, on-loan from Liverpool)

Origi joined Bundesliga side Wolfsburg on deadline day - he's netted five goals and created one assist since

Divock Origi is a great example of a talented player, one who'll be playing with a point to prove in 2018. Loaned out to Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg last summer, the Liverpool forward netted 11 goals across all competitions but struggled for regular minutes and the same issue would have occurred again had he remained at Anfield this season.

Instead, he's ventured abroad for first-team action and is currently plying his trade in Germany - with five goals to his name after 18 appearances, it has been a beneficial experience for the Belgian striker.

With aspirations to make it into Belgium's World Cup squad, he'll need to remain consistent between now and the rest of the current campaign - not least if he wants to impress Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff enough for a genuine attacking role in his plans next term as an additional option alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

#1 Tammy Abraham (Swansea, on-loan from Chelsea)

Tammy celebrating one of his four Premier League goals so far this term

Tammy Abraham has been loaned out twice in consecutive seasons - last term was a resounding success with Championship side Bristol City, where he broke records, earned plaudits and developed his goalscoring reputation along the way in amongst England's second tier.

Breaking Moussa Dembélé's record and thereby becoming the Championship's most prolific teenager since the competition's inception, he netted 23 goals and helped Lee Johnson's side avoid relegation too.

This campaign, he was sent back out on-loan to test whether he was truly ready for regular Premier League football - a significant upgrade - at Swansea City. Considering they've struggled in recent seasons and need more attacking flair amongst their ranks, this acquisition was greeted with justified excitement.

With four league goals and an assist in 20 top-flight fixtures, the statistics could admittedly be better. However, he now plays in a tougher league and one where, given his recent success, is being targeted by opposition defenders keen to avoid conceding to the 20-year-old.

Starting up-front alongside the likes of Jordan Ayew, he has shown shows of individual brilliance and his game out of possession has improved too as the season has continued.

If Chelsea opt for a two-striker formation in future, there's no reason why Tammy could compliment Álvaro Morata in attack. With the physical build of a powerful striker, the only real question mark left is whether or not he can perform when it truly matters against the bigger and better teams.

Having joined the club as an under-8, it's clear to see that he has and continues to develop with further senior minutes under his belt. There are possibilities aplenty that Chelsea can utilise to help his transition into the first-team next term.