Chelsea and Arsenal won’t do more business over winger – but out of favour midfielder could | OneFootball

Every year is a bit of a lottery in terms of the players Chelsea send out on loan. Some do well, some struggle.

The previous era of the “loan army” is over, but there are still a number of Blues, first team players and youngsters alike, out playing for other clubs.

As always some are going well (Andrey Santos is killing it at Strasbourg) and others… not so well.

The Athletic’s Transfer Deal Sheet looking ahead to January claims that there are 3 Chelsea players on loan where recalls are a possibility.

With Mykhailo Mudryk out banned, there was some speculation that Raheem Sterling (who we shunted to Arsenal in the dying moments of the window) could be recalled form Arsenal where he’s been struggling for minutes. But the Athletic say that’s not on the cards. We’ve got enough depth in attack, and don’t want to recall Sterling just to pay his wages in full again and have him sitting on our bench instead.

Sterling staying – but others could be shuffled

Raheem Sterling at Arsenal and Chelsea (Photo by Alex Pantling, Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

There are players who could come back – Lesley Ugochukwu has had a disaster spell at Southampton where he can’t get in the team despite their struggles. Much like Andrey Santos’ ill fated move to Nottingham Forest in the first half of last season, this looks a prime candidate to be remedied by a mid-season switch up.

Leo Castledine is another who could be moved around, while we expect a couple of others who are on the very fringes of the first team – like perhaps Cesare Casadei – to be available for loan if no tempting permanent solution is found.

The end of the Conference League group stage means fewer minutes to go around, and more trimming will be needed to keep everyone happy.