4 players who are stuck in the loan system (September 2022)
The 2022 summer transfer window concluded a couple of weeks ago with some blockbuster transfers going through over the last three months.
A few loan deals also took place during this period, with some familiar names finding new temporary homes this summer.
Young players at big clubs, more often than not, require first-team action to develop completely. Since they cannot be afforded the kind of minutes they would like at their parent clubs, they try to find it by securing loan moves.
However, some tend to get stuck in this system for quite a while, especially if they fail to impress at the clubs they move to on a temporary basis. These players are loaned out again and again by their parent clubs and are caught in a vicious cycle.
On that note, let's take a look at four players who are stuck in the loan system.
#4 Baba Abdul Rahman
Chelsea's loan system has often attracted criticism, mainly because of their inefficiency in incorporating such players into their first-team setup.
While this could change under the new ownership and new manager Graham Potter, it might be too late for somebody like Baba Rahman.
The Ghana international, who turned 28 in July, joined the Blues in 2015 for a fee in excess of £20 million. However, the full-back has not managed to impress the last six managers and convince them to keep him at Stamford Bridge over the last seven years.
Hence, it comes as no surprise that he has had seven loan moves over the course of his Chelsea career. During this period, he has played for FC Schalke, Stade Reims, RCD Mallorca and PAOK, and is currently plying his trade at EFL Championship side Reading.
Rahman is unlikely to ever play for the Blues' senior side again, with Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella present in the team. It remains to be seen when he will be able to get out of the loan system and play for another club on a permanent basis.
#3 Moise Kean
Moise Kean was touted to be one of the best young prospects in Italian football only a couple of years ago.
The youngster, who joined the Juventus youth set-up at age 10, broke into the first-team squad in 2017. He had a productive loan spell at Hellas Verona in the 2017-18 season and then became Cristiano Ronaldo's understudy in Turin the following campaign.
However, the Italian side's financial difficulties, coupled with inconsistent performances from Kean, led to him joining Everton in 2019.
The young striker has simply not been able to settle into the Premier League either. He has only managed to make 39 appearances for the Toffees over the last three years, while scoring a meager four goals during that period. Kean was loaned out to Paris Saint-Germain last season before sealing a loan move back to Juventus this summer.
With the Italian still trying to find his feet, it might not be long before he becomes a bit-part player and a regular part of the loan system at Everton.
#2 Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was one of the last youngsters to be promoted by Arsene Wenger into Arsenal's senior squad before he departed the club in 2018.
The legendary manager clearly saw potential in the young Englishman and used him in a number of different positions. Unai Emery did the same and Maitland-Niles formed part of the 2018-19 Gunners side that reached the UEFA Europa League final.
But it all went south from there. The versatile wing-back only played a little over 3000 league minutes combined from the start of the 2019-20 season until the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
During the 2021 summer transfer window, he even put up an Instagram story expressing his frustration at not being able to get time on the pitch.
Mikel Arteta was clearly not a fan of the player as Maitland-Niles didn't seem to excel in any particular position on the pitch despite being a decent utility player. Moreover, he became a liability as a squad player as he was pushing to be played in central midfield, where the team had better options.
The Englishman eventually sealed a loan move to West Bromwich Albion in January 2021, before joining AS Roma on a loan transfer in the summer of 2021.
Maitland-Niles joined Southampton on a loan deal on deadline day. The player recently turned 25 and will hope to perform at St. Mary's this season.
As things stand, Arsenal look unlikely to offer Maitland-Niles an extension when his current contract runs out next summer.
#1 Ethan Ampadu
Another player from Chelsea's notorious loan system, Ethan Ampadu joined the Blues from Exeter City in 2017 as an attractive young prospect.
The youngster had the ability to play in central midfield while also performing an admirable job in central defense. Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri both saw a lot of potential within the youngster, courtesy of which Ampadu stayed at the club until the end of the 2018-19 season.
He then joined RB Leipzig in 2019 on a loan deal upon Frank Lampard's arrival as the club's new manager.
The Englishman was keen on promoting the young stars from the academy but Ampadu didn't seem to be a part of those plans. The Wales international joined Sheffield United on a loan move the following campaign before joining Venezia last summer.
Thomas Tuchel also never really favored the youngster, because of which Ampadu went on loan again this summer to Italian side Spezia Calcio.
#CFC
Spezia manager Luca Gotti: “Chelsea are convinced that Ethan Ampadu is gonna be a really important player as centre back in the future”. 🔵 #CFC
More: there’s no buy option in the deal, it’s simple loan until June 2023. https://t.co/4jNosmakZg
The 22-year-old is a fine talent and could make a name for himself someday, especially under a coach like Graham Potter, who is known for improving players. However, he will have to impress in Italy this season if he is to fight for a place in Chelsea's squad next season.