Despite successful loan season, England U21 rising star remains without contract offer from Chelsea

Ed. note: This one's a baffling and nigh infuriating situation.  Swifty has been one of my favorite prospects for a long-long time now (he made his U18 debut as a 14-year-old, six years ago), and he's proving himself at Championship and U21 international level repeatedly.  Are we really just going to boot him out??  For shame.  Anyway, here's Fellipe.

Chelsea youngster John Swift arrived at Championship side Brentford in October on a one-month loan as emergency cover for a spate of injuries.  A few good performances later, the loan was extended for a couple months more, then, in January, it was extended until the end of the season.  Swifty had quickly become an important member of the Bees' midfield.

While Brentford hit a rough patch after January that took them out of the promotion race (they finished the season in 9th place, 9 points behind 6th place Sheffield Wednesday and a spot in the promotion playoffs), the 20-year-old loanee continued to start regularly (except when hit by injuries, such as the Achilles he picked up on international duty).  All-in-all, he made 27 appearances in England's second tier, scoring 7 times.

Shades of Lampard in John Swift's goal yesterday. Big summer ahead for the young midfielder. #CFC pic.twitter.com/IRwc2qGzdp

— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) May 8, 2016

While Chelsea have left contract talks unfashionably late with several key prospects this season — Charlie Colkett just recently signed on, for example — the assumption always was that Swift would get a new contract as well.  (Same goes for Ola Aina, who's in a similar situation as Swift.)  But...

"I've not heard anything about a contract. There aren't any negotiations going on. I think I've got to leave everything like that sort itself out."

-John Swift; Source: Get West London

Swift, currently with the England U21 squad at the Toulon Tournament, has been with Chelsea since the under-14 level (after getting cut as a 12-year-old) and has already made his senior debut, albeit only as an 89th-minute substitute in our final match of the 2013-14 season against Cardiff City. Since then, the young midfielder has been on loan to Rotherman United, Swindon Town and Brentford.

Swift's season at the latter should be proof enough that he has the potential to develop into a Premier League-quality player.  Certainly, if Chelsea are letting him go, he won't be short on takers this summer.