We have seen plenty of movement in the transfer market at Stamford Bridge so far this summer. With just less than two weeks to go until the summer window closes for business, there will undoubtedly be more ins and outs before the month is out......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Due to the sheer size of Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea playing squad, more outgoings looks a certainty to happen. A number of loan deals could be finalised as part of the changes, especially as a host of players need to head elsewhere to ensure they get sufficient minutes in the tank over the course of the campaign.
Chelsea already have a handful of players out on loan and the vast majority of them were in action for their respective clubs over the weekend. So how exactly did they get on? football.london takes a look below.
Andrey Santos (Strasbourg)
Andrey Santos played no part in Strasbourg’s 1-1 draw away at Montpellier on the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 season. The Chelsea man was suspended for the game at Stade de la Mosson after receiving a one-match ban for picking up three yellow cards in ten Ligue 1 fixtures during his loan spell with the French club last season.
Having now served his ban, Santos will be raring to go when Liam Rosenior’s men host Rennes on Sunday afternoon.
Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg)
One player who did take part in Strasbourg’s Ligue 1 opener was Caleb Wiley. Signing for Chelsea from MLS side Atlanta United in July, the American linked up with Strasbourg on loan for the remainder of the season earlier this month.
Wiley started at left wing-back for his new club and played 94 minutes before coming off for Jeremy Sebas late in stoppage time.
Aaron Anselmino (Boca Juniors)
Aaron Anselmino was another to join the Blues in the summer before rejoining Boca Juniors on loan for the remainder of the campaign. Missing out for Boca over the past month due to injury, the 19-year-old was back in the team at the weekend as his side prevailed with a 3-2 win against San Lorenzo in a thrilling contest.
Even though Anselmino did partner Marcos Rojo at centre-back, the Chelsea man managed to get two assists to his name. Firstly heading a free-kick into the path of Milton Gimenez for the equaliser, Anselmino then picked out Miguel Merentiel with a brilliant pass from his own half in the 90th minute before San Lorenzo made it 3-2 deep into stoppage time.
Alfie Gilchrist (Sheffield United)
Alfie Gilchrist has continued to feature regularly at right-back for Sheffield United since making the move from Chelsea. Starting in their first two games of the season against Preston North End and Wrexham, the youngster once again got the nod in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with QPR.
On the pitch for 77 minutes before he was replaced by Harry Souttar, QPR netted an 88th-minute equaliser through Lyndon Dykes to secure a point.
In The Star’s player ratings from the game, Gilchrist was awarded a mark of five out of ten for his performance. They wrote: “Threw his body in the way of Lloyd’s shot at 2-0 as if his life depended on it, having earlier snuffed out a one-on-one chance for the QPR man with a solid bit of defending. Did his best to get forward when he could but he is a player whose strength is very much defensive rather than going the other way. Still getting up to speed, too, which is why he made way with 15 minutes or so left of normal time.”
Lesley Ugochukwu (Southampton)
Lesley Ugochukwu will have to wait to make his Southampton debut after joining the south coast club on a season-long loan deal last Friday. Not part of the Southampton squad for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United, the Frenchman will be pushing for minutes at the weekend when Russell Martin’s side take on Nottingham Forest at St Mary’s.
On joining Southampton, Ugochukwu, speaking to the club’s official website, said: “I feel very happy. Southampton has a great history. A lot of great players came over here and played for Southampton, so I’m very happy to be part of the team now.
“It was a very easy decision. They just came back to Premier League. When I heard Southampton, when I spoke to the gaffer as well, I said, ‘I have to come here.’
“I’m just here to work hard and give everything for the fans and for myself as well.”
Eddie Beach (Crawley Town)
Eddie Beach has so far had to contend with a spot on the Crawley Town bench in the league since joining the League One club from Chelsea. However, he made his debut for the club on Tuesday evening in their win over Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s in the Football League Trophy.
Following a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes, it was Crawley who won on penalties as Beach saved Brighton’s last spot-kick as they won the shootout 4-3.
Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Doncaster Rovers)
Teddy Sharman-Lowe has started all three of Doncaster Rovers’ games in the 2024/25 campaign so far. The young goalkeeper was on the losing side last Saturday as the South Yorkshire club fell to a 3-1 defeat at Newport County.
Gabriel Slonina (Barnsley)
Gabriel Slonina made an instant impression on his Barnsley debut after saving two penalties in their shootout win at Wigan Athletic following a 1-1 draw in their Carabao Cup round one encounter. Starting in net for the Tykes on Saturday away at Lincoln City, it was once again another day to remember for the youngster as they claimed a 2-1 win over Michael Skubala’s men
Dylan Williams (Burton Albion)
Dylan Williams has got plenty of minutes in the tank since making a loan move to League One side Burton Albion. The defender started the league opener against Lincoln City and Carabao Cup tie at Blackpool before coming off the bench for the final 30 minutes of last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Mansfield Town.
It was heartbreak for Williams and his teammates as they conceded a 97th-minute Lee Gregory goal to lose out on three points. Back in action on Tuesday evening as they hosted Leicester City Under-21s in the Football League Trophy, the Chelsea youngster grabbed an assist for Danilo Orsi’s goal in a 3-1 victory.