Chelsea FC Transfer News: Patrick van Aanholt Joins Leicester City On Loan

Actual news appears to be a bit like busses - when something actually happens, it's shortly followed up by another. Promising left-back Patrick van Aanholt, who's been very impressive with the first team so far this year, has been temporarily shipped off to Championship side Leicester City. Van Aanholt, 20, has already played more than 25 games in the Championship with both Coventry City and recently promoted Newcastle, and should be an immediate starter for Sven Goran Eriksson's side.

Although van Aanholt is a scintillating attacking threat on the left, his defending is somewhat more lax than fans might desire from a fullback after being exposed to Ashley Cole for several years. Van Aanholt's positioning is slightly weak, and his tackling is rather poor as well - think a left-sided Glen Johnson and you may not be too far off. However, he's only 20, and proper positioning and technique can be taught. Leicester will be trying to get into a playoffs spot this year - they're a ways off, but van Aanholt can surely help for the next few months. The Dutch defender will return to Stamford Bridge for the start of the 2011/12 season.

It's a little strange to me that Chelsea couldn't have found a better club to take van Aanholt on. In the Premier League both Liverpool and Aston Villa are absolutely desperate for left-backs, and Villa in particular would have been an interesting fit. Having some Premier League experience this year would have served van Aanholt well in his future Chelsea career.

Leicester seem pretty pleased to have acquired him though, as shown on their official site:

Patrick is another quality addition to our squad. He is a talented young footballer, with good skill, natural pace and the required hunger and desire to do well in the game.

Patrick has impressed at Chelsea, Coventry City and Newcastle United and we are certain he will do likewise here at the Walkers Stadium.

-Derek Fazackerley, Leicester Assistant Manager.

There's also a nice picture of him holding up a Foxes shirt - don't get too attached to that thing, now!

Best of luck to both van Aanholt and fellow loanee Gael Kakuta at their (temporary) new clubs.