Chelsea have two young defenders on their books who are tipped to become elite in the coming years — Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato — but they aren’t getting regular playing time.
Hato, who arrived from Ajax in the summer, has made just nine appearances for the Blues.
Acheampong has 12 this season, also not getting enough minutes for optimal development.
Fans have been floating the idea of a loan move for the two 19-year-olds, wanting them to get enough experience to make a real impact on the first team moving forward.
As for Chelsea, their stance on both players is the same with the January window now open.
Photo by Emanuele Comincini/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesChelsea don’t want to loan out Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong
Both players have shown flashes of real quality. Acheampong at Chelsea this season and Hato with the Dutch giants.
A loan for at least one of them sounds like a good idea, but the latest reports point to them staying at Stamford Bridge this January.
BBC Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella writes: “Teenage defenders Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato are currently deemed unavailable for loan, despite the latter being linked with a return to his former club Ajax.”
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Ajax want to bring Hato back, but he’s the only cover for starting left-back Marc Cucurella.
As for his English teammate, there are growing concerns that Acheampong could look to leave Chelsea permanently in search of more minutes, but it’s a risk the club clearly feel comfortable taking.
The situation is fluid, and whoever comes in to replace Enzo Maresca could determine their futures but as it stands, loans are not being considered. That could come back to bite Chelsea if either player grows more impatient.
Chelsea have no more overseas loan slots
Squad-building rules for English clubs state no more than six players can be loaned abroad at a given time.
If Chelsea did want to send either overseas, they would have to recall someone. Aaron Anselmino has been linked with a move back to Chelsea, while Kedry Paez is another potential recall.
The Chelsea loanee with the most potential is _ _ _ _ _ _
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
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As it stands, the Blues aren’t looking to alter too much in January, but as we said, the new manager could change that.
Both Acheampong and Hato are promising talents, but minutes are part of the recipe for success, especially as a defender. The last thing Chelsea need is for the future of their back line to start agitating for a move.
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