Chelsea are set to follow a new loan policy under Todd Boehly in response to FIFA regulations which will limit clubs to sending out seven players… as the Blues move away from Roman Abramovich’s approach of stockpiling youngsters
- At its peak when Abramovich was the owner, Chelsea had 41 players out on loan
- It currently has 21 out on loan this season and a total of 31 first-team players
- Only genuine first-team prospects will be sent out as part of the new strategy
Chelsea are set to follow a new loan policy under Todd Boehly in response to FIFA regulations which limit clubs to sending out seven players.
At its peak in 2019 when Roman Abramovich was the owner, Chelsea had 41 players out on loan.
The Stamford Bridge outfit currently has 21 out on loan this season and a total of 31 first-team players.
The new strategy will be led by sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and only genuine first-team prospects will be sent out, according to the Evening Standard.
FIFA introduced the transfer loan reforms to prevent clubs from stock-piling young talent.
Chelsea are set to follow a new loan policy under Todd Boehly in response to FIFA regulations
At its peak when Roman Abramovich was the owner, Chelsea had 41 players out on loan
Some clubs used the loan system to keep a large number of talented young players on their books, giving them a chance to play first team football elsewhere and often subsequently selling them on for a profit.
From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, the number of players that a club can be sent out on loan will be cut to seven professionals.
However, the incoming regulations will not apply to players aged 21 and younger. Club-trained players will also be exempt from these limitations.
FIFA say the objective of the new rules are to ‘develop young players, promote competitive balance and prevent hoarding’.
Chelsea want to offload as many as 15 players, with Dujon Sterling already set to join Rangers and Xavier Simons sold to Hull.
Malang Sarr, Ethan Ampadu and Henry Lawrence are also expected to leave.
Chelsea have made nearly £150million by selling five players – Nemanja Matic, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Ryan Bertrand and Nathan Ake – recruited as youngsters and sent out on loan.
While Chelsea will be the hardest hit, many Premier League clubs are likely to welcome restrictions on top sides hoarding players before selling them on for profit.
Frank Lampard’s side face 16th-place Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the season’s final weeks.
Frank Lampard’s side face Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the season’s final weeks
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