Chelsea

However, away from the pitch, a certain level of focus will be placed on assessing how their array of players out on loan are faring at their respective clubs.

Here, Sports Mole provides an update on the 21 players who are at teams competing in the Premier League, EFL and abroad.

Strasbourg link-up paying off

There was much scepticism over whether Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital purchasing Strasbourg - with the intention of sending Chelsea prospects to Ligue 1 - would pay off.

The fact that Strasbourg sit in seventh position in the standings and just six points adrift of second-placed Marseille tells you that the link-up is delivering better than anticipated.

Midfielder Andrey Santos remains a revelation at Stade de la Meinau. Eight goals and one assist have come from his 24 matches in the engine room, while his passing and ball retrieval statistics are up there with the best players in his position.

As per reports, the Brazil international has already done enough to earn a place in Enzo Maresca's squad for 2025-26, and he could depart the club having helped deliver European football against the odds.

Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has also emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in the division. A season on from being number one at Chelsea, Petrovic has kept eight clean sheets in 23 Strasbourg starts, conceding just 27 goals. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could be a future Chelsea number one for a second time.

Mixed Premier League loans

Lesley Ugochukwu's loan at doomed Southampton has brought mixed success, yet the Frenchman remains with 15 starts and eight substitute outings in all competitions.

The 20-year-old notably impressed in away performances at Manchester United and Liverpool, displays which suggested that he has the profile to make an impact at Chelsea in the future.

Kepa Arrizabalaga's future will be away from Chelsea, but the Spain international has kick-started his career with 22 starts at Bournemouth, keeping five clean sheets and conceding just 29 goals.

Raheem Sterling's stock has dropped even further at Arsenal. Just 10 starts and 13 substitute outings have come in all competitions, the 30-year-old having just one goal and four assists to his name.

Axel Disasi is impressing at Aston Villa, already making five starts and one substitute outing for a team now in the Champions League quarter-finals. While his future may be away from Chelsea, his price-tag is at least being maintained.

While Ben Chilwell is only seeing limited involvement at Crystal Palace, one start and four substitute outings is an improvement on his first half of the season at Chelsea.

Armando Broja is hoping to avoid further injury issues during the closing stages of his loan at Everton. As it stands, the Albania international has just two starts and five substitute appearances to his name.

Chelsea returns increasingly likely

Either side of an injury, Renato Veiga has made six starts in his desired centre-back role for Juventus, initially contributing to four successive wins.

However, the Portugal international was part of the team that lost 3-0 to Fiorentina before the international break, and the 21-year-old will need to impress in the coming weeks to come into contention for next season.

Joao Felix had aspirations to move to AC Milan on a permanent basis, but since a goal on his debut, the playmaker has failed to impress without a goal or assist in nine games. As per reports, it seems likely that he will return to Chelsea in the summer.

Carney Chukwuemeka needed a change of scenery with Maresca not considering him for Premier League fixtures. A loan to Borussia Dortmund was facilitated, but the midfielder has accumulated just 63 minutes across five substitute appearances, not helped by niggly injuries.

Deivid Washington has made just one brief substitute outing since his season-long loan switch to Santos last month. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to break into the starting lineup during his stay at his former club, who possess an option to buy.

EFL game time

Injury has taken Alfie Gilchrist out of the Sheffield United squad since the end of January, but the defender has 28 Championship appearances to his name this campaign.

Bashir Humphreys has faced a similar situation at fellow promotion contender Burnley, making 25 outings in the division but not featuring since the middle of February.

Since his Strasbourg loan was cut short, Caleb Wiley has only just regained fitness to represent Watford, with two substitute outings being made before the international break.

Zak Sturge has only made one 32-minute substitute outing at Millwall, but Alex Matos can be pleased with his five starts and seven substitute outings at Oxford United since the start of 2025.

In League One, Leo Castledine had reached 23 appearances for Shrewsbury Town, netting twice, before the playmaker picked up an injury in January.

Dylan Williams has only just returned to contention for Burton Albion, but has 18 games under his belt in the third tier, while goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe has shined for Doncaster Rovers in League Two.

With nine clean sheets and just 44 goals conceded in 37 appearances, the stopper has been rewarded with an England Under-21 call-up.

Lastly, 19-year-old striker Jimmy-Jay Morgan has one goal from his 10 outings for Gillingham.

Written by

Darren Plant