Chelsea facing end to their fabled “loan army” as FIFA introduce new loanee rules

Chelsea’s fabled loan army

Though Chelsea’s “loan army” is not what it once was, they still have plenty of senior players away on short-term deals.

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn, clubs have found it hard to shift deadwood across Europe.

Tanguy Ndombele is likely to leave Tottenham for peanuts compared to the 55 million pounds that they paid for him, while no one is going to offer clubs anywhere near the 72 million pounds that Arsenal paid for Nicolas Pepe or the 36 million pounds that Chelsea splashed out for Tiemoue Bakayoko in 2017.

Since falling out of favour at Chelsea, Bakayoko has been on four different loans: once back to Monaco, twice to AC Milan and once to Napoli, netting Chelsea around 10 million pounds in loan fees (as per transfermarkt).

However, Chelsea may be forced into the sale of him and several others as a result of a rule change set to be implemented by FIFA.

FIFA set to limit loans

Now, FIFA have moved to limit loan moves between clubs.

Starting in 2022/23, clubs will slowly be capped on the number of loan players that they can both add to their squad, and let go.

As of next season, this will be 8, reducing per one a season until eventually only 6 senior players will be able to be loaned out at any one time from a club.

Fifa to introduce significant limitations to the loan system.

Clubs will only be allowed six a season

Those under 21 and club-trained will be exempt pic.twitter.com/3IKI5eBXT0

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) January 20, 2022

At present, Chelsea have 8 players out on loan, including the likes of Michy Batshuayi, Danny Drinkwater and Matt Miazga. While they have no future at Chelsea, they also seem to have proved hard to shift.

This summer, however, the Blues may be forced into offloading at a cut price in light of the new changes.

Read more:

How COVID-19 law change could hand Chelsea Champions League disadvantage

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