How every Chelsea player on loan is performing this season

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 22 Dec 2022 22:05 GMT
• 13 min read

Chelsea have once again sent a cluster of players out on loan for the 2022-23 season to continue the club's tradition of loaning out their stars.

The Blues became known for their loan policy in the 2010s, with their partnership with Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem helping give youngsters a shot at first-team football.

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However, many of these young talents have recently decided to jump ship and ensure they don't get caught up in Chelsea's loan army, who constantly head out on 12-month deals without ever finding a permanent home.

Marc Guehi, Valentino Livramento and Lewis Bate were three such players who departed in 2021, although Chelsea still have a number of players on their books who have once again departed on loan.

Last season brought plenty of success from their loanees, with Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja impressing enough to be given a chance in the first-team.

But, as ever, there were some players who didn't quite manage to force their way into Thomas Tuchel's thinking and hence headed out on loan. These players are now not available for selection under new head coach Graham Potter as there are currently playing for clubs across Europe.

How many players do Chelsea have on loan?

Chelsea currently having 20 players out on loan, which includes seasoned stars such as Romelu Lukaku, just one year on from his €115 million move back to Stamford Bridge, and youngsters who've never appeared for the first team, such as Jamie Cumming.

Goalkeeper Prince Adegoke spent the first month of the season on loan at Welling United but didn't make a single appearance. He returned to Chelsea in September and played 90 minutes in the Blues' Premier League 2 draw with Norwich City in October.

Gabriel Slonina's stats will only count from when he became a loanee at Chicago Fire. He joined Chelsea on a permanent deal from Chicago Fire before re-joining Chicago Fire on loan on 3 August.

Chelsea's 2022-23 loanees

How are they performing?

Ethan Ampadu (Spezia):

After spending last season on loan at Serie A side Venezia, Ethan Ampadu returned to Italy on transfer deadline day, and has so far made 11 appearances for Spezia in all competitions.

While he mostly played in defensive midfield at Venezia last term, Ampadu has instead been used at centre-back during his stint at Spezia, with Chelsea reportedly viewing him in this role and the Spezia head coach agreeing.

He grabbed an assist in the 1-1 draw with Udinese in early November, while he struggled in the 4-0 loss to Lazio, receiving a yellow card in the game. On the whole, he's been a solid presence in an average team so far.

Tino Anjorin (Huddersfield):

Tino Anjorin spent the second-half of the 2021-22 season on loan at Huddersfield, but injuries prevented him from making a real impact.

In his first appearance of the 2022-23 campaign, Anjorin started on the bench but was introduced at half-time with Huddersfield 1-0 down to Burnley. The Chelsea academy graduate immediately made an impression, with his silky style on the ball complemented with bite off it. His physicality made an instant difference, and he looked sharp throughout.

His cameo ensured he was trusted with a start in Huddersfield's second game of the season. He was lively throughout but was unable to prevent a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City.

Anjorin then came off the bench and provided an assist in Huddersfield's 4-1 defeat to Preston in the Carabao Cup, threading a through-ball for Jordan Rhodes to race through on goal and score. Two weeks later he grabbed his first goals of the season, netting a brace in a 2-2 draw with West Brom. Those are his only goal contributions of the game so far.

He hasn't played since September.

Nathan Baxter (Hull):

Unfortunately for Nathan Baxter, he dislocated his finger on Hull's pre-season tour of Spain and missed the opening few weeks of the season.

Matt Ingram filled in during Hull's opening four games of the season. Baxter returned to the squad against Norwich on 13 August but was unused substitute. He has since re-asserted his place as Hull's first choice, playing 12 games in a row.

Baxter has kept just one clean sheet so far this term.

Lucas Bergstrom (Peterborough):

Lucas Bergstrom enjoyed a successful start to life as a Chelsea loanee, making four saves and even creating one big chance as Peterborough ran out victors over Cheltenham Town in their first League One fixture of the season. He did concede two goals, but it was an impressive debut for Bergstrom.

The Finn then kept his first clean sheet of the season in Peterborough's second game of the League One season - a 3-0 victory over Morecambe. He made two impressive saves during the game in an excellent display.

Bergstrom backed that clean sheet up with a second successive shutout against Plymouth in the Carabao Cup but was on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat to the same opposition just days later in League One. However, he was impressive again and made a total of six saves.

His ability to exit his box and sweep play has been impressive, and he kept back-to-back clean sheets - in a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday and a 4-0 victory against Lincoln City - in August.

He is currently on 27 appearances so far this season, with five clean sheets to his name. A great start to life at Peterborough for the Chelsea loanee.

Levi Colwill (Brighton):

After spending the 2021-22 season on loan at Huddersfield Town, Levi Colwill joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan, with Marc Cucurella heading the other way on a permanent deal.

He made his Premier League and Brighton debut at Old Trafford against Manchester United. He came on in the final minute, playing at left-back, as Graham Potter's side won 2-1.

Colwill didn't play in Brighton's 0-0 draw with Newcastle on 13 August, and then featured in the Seagulls' development side versus Liverpool. He managed to grab an assist, but it wasn't a senior fixture and was simply to improve his fitness.

He played 90 minutes in Brighton's Carabao Cup wins over Forest Green Rovers and Arsenal, with his excellent performance in the latter earning him a start in the final game before the World Cup break.

Jamie Cumming (MK Dons):

After spending the second-half of last season on loan at MK Dons, Jamie Cumming returned to the club this summer, but couldn't prevent a 1-0 defeat to Cambridge United on the opening day.

Cumming made two saves throughout the game, but will feel he perhaps could've done slightly better for the goal. After neat feet from Harvey Knibbs, the Cambridge man danced inside and drove a low finish past Cumming, and although the 'keeper did manage to get a fingertip to it, he will feel he maybe could've kept the shot out.

MK Dons also lost their second game of the season 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday, with Cumming unable to save Josh Windass' first-half penalty. The Englishman kept his first clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 victory over Sutton United in the Carabao Cup but couldn't prevent a 3-0 loss to Ipswich in the league just days later.

The first goal rocketed past him, the second came after a well saved shot was turned in on the rebound, and the third was again not Cumming's fault.

Since then, Cumming has conceded 24 goals in 16 games as MK Dons linger right in the danger zone in League One.

Bryan Fiabema (Forest Green Rovers):

After spending time in his native Norway on loan last season, Bryan Fiabema joined newly promoted Forest Green Rovers for the 2022/23 campaign.

So far, his only goal game in their 2-1 EFL Trophy win over Newport County, a game in which he also grabbed the assist for Ben Stevenson's opener.

Fiabema also assisted Josh March's winner against Accrington Stanley in September, but that is his only goal contribution in League One so far.

Joe Haigh (Derby County U21):

Rather than joining their first team, Joe Haigh signed for Derby County's U21 side on loan, and has made four appearances so far.

The first two were off the bench, before he started and scored against West Brom. he hasn't played in their three most recent games.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Bayer Leverkusen):

One of the jewels of Chelsea's academy, Callum Hudson-Odoi finally left Stamford Bridge on loan to join Bayer Leverkusen. The Englishman has been able to get a string of games under his belt, which has never happened at his boyhood club.

Along with Moussa Diaby, Hudson-Odoi has formed an electric winger combination under Xabi Alonso, with their speed and directness helping their counter-attacking style.

So far, Hudson-Odoi has 15 appearances in all competitions, with one goal and one assist to his name. His goal came in their Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid, firing past Jan Oblak who had already dived to his left.

Henry Lawrence (MK Dons):

Like his MK Dons team-mate Cumming, Henry Lawrence also featured in their opening day defeat to Cambridge and will hope to improve throughout the season. He was booked and subsequently substituted after 61 minutes, although he wasn't given too many opportunities to show his attacking prowess.

Lawrence was an unused substitute in MK Dons' loss to Sheffield Wednesday, but played the full 90 minutes in their cup win over Sutton. After starting the defeat to Ipswich on the bench, Lawrence was brought on at half-time with MK Dons 2-0 down.

But, he did enough to be rewarded with a start at right-back in the 2-1 win over Port Vale. He then showed his versatility with an appearance at left-wing in the draw with Accrington Stanley.

In total, Lawrence has made 18 appearances, contributing one goal and three assists.

Romelu Lukaku (Inter):

In his first game back at Inter, after returning to the club on loan, it took Romelu Lukaku less than two minutes to get on the scoresheet.

A cross from Frederico Dimarco was headed back across goal by ex-Manchester United player Matteo Darmian, and Lukaku was on hand to nod in from inside the six yard box to open his account for the season. From there on, however, Lukaku was fairly ineffective and Inter relied on a last-gasp Denzel Dumfries goal to see off Lecce 2-1.

In his second appearance back at Inter, he and Lautaro Martinez showed why they were so effective together during Lukaku's first stint at the club. The Belgian didn't score, but his headed knock-down found Martinez, with the Argentine burying a half-volley into the bottom corner with his weaker left-foot.

He has suffered two injuries this season, one hamstring injury and one biceps femoris muscle injury, which has meant that he's only featured in five games this campaign. In that time, Lukaku has scored twice and assisted once.

Ian Maatsen (Burnley):

Ian Maatsen made his debut for Burnley in the Championship season opener against Huddersfield, and scored his first goal for the club in his first appearance.

After bursting forward with the ball, the Dutchman continued his run and beautifully curled a right-footed finish into the bottom corner after a ricochet fell to him inside the box. Despite playing as a left-back, Maatsen was often found as one of the Burnley's most advanced players, featuring in a similar role to the one he performed at Coventry last year, even though he was playing in a back four.

He also should've registered an assist after his wonderful half-volley deliver across the penalty area was missed by Dara James Morgan Costelloe.

In his second game, Burnley lost to Luton, but Maatsen was voted as the team's Man of the Match after another excellent display.

Against Hull, Maatsen registered his first assist of the season. After being found with acres of space on the left-flank, the Dutchman perfectly picked out a cross that fizzed across the box and was tucked home by Jay Rodriguez to secure a point for Vincent Kompany's side.

The following week, Maatsen showed his inexperience by being sent off with five minutes left to play. Unhappy by a challenge from Sonny Carey, who was shown a red card for the tackle, Maatsen charged into Carey's back, flooring him. A red card soon followed.

Maatsen has been one of Burnley's most impressive performers this term, making 16 appearances, scoring once and assisting four goals during that time.

Sam McClelland (Barrow):

In his first loan spell away from Chelsea, Sam McClelland made his Barrow debut at right-back in their first League Two fixture of the 2022-23 season. He played the full 90 minutes as they ran out 3-2 winners over Stockport.

In the second game of Barrow's season, McClelland started on the bench, but came on in the 15th minute after an injury to George Ray. He assisted Josh Kay's goal in the 85th minute after poking a corner towards the net, which was turned home from point-blank range by Kay. Barrow won the game 3-2.

He then helped keep a clean sheet against Championship opposition in Blackpool, before Barrow won the penalty shoot-out, but McClelland was on the receiving end of defeat against Sutton just a few days later.

McClelland scored his first ever professional goal against Walsall with a 12th minute header from a corner, which helped Barrow to a 2-1 win in August. He also played 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over Harrogate Town next week - McClelland's first clean sheet in League Two.

He hasn't been in the matchday squad in the past seven League Two games.

Malang Sarr (AS Monaco):

Malang Sarr has made eight appearances in all competitions so far this campaign, but only five have been starts, with the Frenchman not a regular at AS Monaco.

He has one clean sheet to his name - a 1-0 win over Nice - but Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are the preferred duo.

Xavier Simons (Hull City):

After appearing for Chelsea in the Premier League 2 at the start of the campaign, Xavier Simons left to join Hull City on loan.

However, despite impressing in training he has only been able to feature for eight minutes on the pitch, in one sub appearance against Birmingham City

Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire):

Gabriel Slonina made his move to Chelsea on 2 August 2022, and was immediately loaned back to Chicago Fire. He had played 23 MLS games before he joined Chelsea.

His first game as a loanee at Chicago Fire was a 3-2 win over Charlotte FC. The first goal he conceded was a header placed into the bottom corner that left Slonina helpless. The second goal was a goal-line scramble that saw him unable to prevent an equaliser. However, Chicago went on to find a winner.

In his second game as a Chelsea loanee, Slonina's side lost 4-1 to Philadelphia, with the second goal completely his fault. A looping long-range header forced him to backpedal, and rather than tip it over the crossbar, Slonina tried to catch it; in his attempts to keep the ball in his hands but not over the goal-line, he dropped the ball allowing Jack Elliott to tap in.

In total, Slonina has made nine appearances on loan at Chicago Fire since joining Chelsea, keeping two clean sheets in that time.

Dujon Sterling (Stoke City):

After spending last season on loan at Blackpool, Dujon Sterling joined Stoke City on transfer deadline day.

Since signing for the club, Sterling has featured seven times, with every appearance coming as a starter. He has played a mixture of full-back and winger during his time at Stoke, but is yet to register a goal or an assist.

Harvey Vale (Hull City):

Just like Xavier Simons, Harvey Vale also joined Hull City on loan for the season, but has also struggled to get into the side, with injury woes the reason for his lack of involvement.

His sole involvement came in Hull's 3-0 win over Swansea, playing 67 minutes as a right midfielder.

Ethan Wady (Woking):

Ethan Wady has been an unused substitute for Woking during the season and is still yet to make an appearance.

Jayden Wareham (Leyton Orient):

Jayden Wareham has made five appearances for Leyton Orient so far, including once against Chelsea U21 in the EFL Trophy. He scored a brace in his first appearance for the club in a 3-1 win over Sutton United.

He hasn't scored since.