Joao Felix sold and six more leave but four stars return – Chelsea loan transfer decisions made

Chelsea currently have 16 players from the senior squad on loan. After a busy January window in terms of cutting down the fringes, many decisions lie ahead in the summer.

Those who have been sent away are out for a variety of reasons. Some are trying to save their career. Some are attempting to start theirs. Several are just looking for a way out. Others would have left before now if circumstances had been different.

It creates a complex picture to be sold. The bomb squad scenario will not want to be repeated for a third summer in a row but the sheer number of players on the outside of Enzo Maresca’s plans means it cannot be disregarded.

Here, football.london goes through what the future holds for all 16 and what the next steps are for the summer of 2025.

Axel Disasi

Chelsea were willing to sell him over the summer and looked to do so again in January, which says it all. With the return of Trevoh Chalobah and another centre-back likely to be pursued later this year, Disasi will surely be on his way out permanently and does not have a future at the club.

Joao Felix

One of the worst pieces of business carried out by the Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly regime. Felix will do well to get any sort of return on his summer transfer fee but Maresca clearly does not have the time for him. It would be a surprise if he was reintegrated again, especially after having two looks at him.

Lesley Ugochukwu

Could maybe have been recalled in January to add some steel in the centre of the park. His Southampton experience hasn’t been good but Ugochukwu has a lot of quality to make it as a rotation player at Chelsea. Definitely worth having around.

Andrey Santos

The easiest and biggest ‘yes’ on this list. Santos is one of the best-performing loanees in Europe and has been for 18 months. Chelsea will have him in the squad next season without doubt.

Raheem Sterling

Maybe the biggest ‘no’. Sterling was cut by Maresca late on after pre-season and has no role. His failure at Arsenal will make it hard to find suitors but he has probably played his last game for the club.

Ben Chilwell

It has been nice to see Chilwell playing again for Crystal Palace but it doesn’t change his future at Chelsea. The club will hope to find a long-term home for him later this year so that all parties can move on.

Djordje Petrovic

Given how committed Chelsea are to their current goalkeeper options – both of Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen as well as 19-year-old giant Mike Penders – it is hard to see a way back for Petrovic. He is currently the best performing player in the role, though, and should be given a fair crack.football.london says he stays but the gut feeling is a sale.

Carney Chukwuemeka

The same goes for Chukwuemeka. His release clause of around £40million is a snip of what he could be worth. Borussia Dortmund are not lathered in cash which complicates matters but if the 20-minute cameo last week is anything to go by, Chukwuemeka has lots to offer.

Chelsea should be trying to build around him but will likely try to get the money instead. If Felix departs then there is a gap in the squad as a backup No.10 for Chukwuemeka.

Armando Broja

Chelsea will regret not getting the £30million from West Ham in 2022 that was on offer. Broja’s injuries make it hard to see how any club would go above even £20million for him now. The opportunity to succeed at Stamford Bridge is over and he needs to find a place to play regularly instead.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

His contract may well have been extended but a minuscule release clause will see him end a seven-year transfer waste in the summer. Kepa has played his last game for Chelsea.

Renato Veiga

Having looked like his time at SW6 was coming to a premature conclusion after six months, Veiga is still in the fold. At centre-back it is hard to see where his pathway is, but for now Chelsea won’t be pushing for a sale whilst his price continues to rise.

Deivid Washington

The most inefficient £17million spent for a while. Chelsea need something special from Washington in Brazil at Santos to get his value up because very little has been seen from his time in the academy to warrant a fraction of that spend. He may never play for the senior side again but it will be hard to get a big price for him.

Caleb Wiley

There isn’t likely to be much permanent interest in Wiley after his first season in Europe. Chelsea will hope that his loan at Watford can be a turning point. It is only £8million needed to flip a profit, but even that looks a long way off right now. He won’t be sold yet but may never make it at Stamford Bridge.

Bashir Humphreys

This one is already settled. The defender has an obligation-to-buy clause in his contract with Burnley. It is a good deal for all parties.

Alfie Gilchrist

Gilchrist is having a similarly good year in the Championship but faces an uphill battle to make it at his boyhood club. It would make sense not to string him along for too much longer but Chelsea and Sheffield United could benefit from another loan next season if Chris Wilder secures promotion. That would do Gilchrist and his market value some good even if it doesn’t change his long-term prospects.

Mike Penders

Very much in the plans moving forward but only set for more loans. Penders is 19 and needs to develop a lot before being considered as a first-team option.