Chelsea Loan Round-up: July - August

ENGLAND:

Kenedy, back on loan at Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United, seemed to pick up where he left off last season with a lively starting display in the Magpies’ 1-2 loss to Tottenham. However, Murphy’s Law struck in the following game against Cardiff. The winger was uncharacteristically poor all game, with an almost non-existent first-half showing followed by an egregious one in the latter 45 minutes. He probably should’ve been dismissed dismissed for kicking Cardiff’s Victor Camarasa off the ball but somehow escaped punishment, both during the game and retrospectively. A terribly wayward free-kick towards the end of the game highlighted Kenedy’s horror-show but somehow, he stepped up to take a penalty won right at the death. To no surprise on the day, his effort from twelve yards was saved by former Chelsea academy player, Neil Etheridge.

This game will surely have come as a steep learning curve for Kenedy, who looked visibly distraught after the game. He won’t have the chance to redeem himself until the Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest next Wednesday, though, as Newcastle will face his parent club, Chelsea, in their upcoming Premier League fixture.

Kurt Zouma made the Everton squad for the first time since his Deadline Day move in their 2-1 win against Southampton last weekend, but didn’t get off the bench.

Mason Mount has started every single one of Derby County’s five matches in all competitions so far and been impressive in spells, showing signs of his immense talent but must strive to achieve a greater degree of consistency as one of the team’s main creative outlets. He’s found the back of the net on two occasions, the first being Derby’s equaliser in their dramatic 2-1 win against Reading and the second, a sublime effort from distance against Oldham in the Carabao Cup. Both goals were scored from outside the penalty area and it’s evident that manager Frank Lampard is encouraging Mount to try his luck from such positions. While the Reading goalkeeper, Vito Mannone, should’ve done better for Mount’s first goal, the youngster’s strike against Oldham was a thing of beauty. His first-time swivel and finish, reminiscent of Frank Lampard himself, left the Oldham stopper with no chance.

Fikayo Tomori has started every Derby game since his arrival at the club, in part due to an injury to club captain Curtis Davies, but the center-back has been far more impressive than his defensive partner, Richard Keogh, who is quite frankly not suited to the brand of football Lampard is attempting to bring through at Derby. Hopefully, Tomori will be the one that retains his place in the starting XI upon Davies’ return to fitness. He even found the back of the net against Oldham, meeting Harry Wilson’s in-swinging free-kick with a single touch and sending the ball into the goal. Though the goal was initially adjudged an own goal, it was eventually credited to Tomori.

Derby’s 2-0 win against Ipswich meant that Frank Lampard’s side have earned two wins and losses apiece in the league. Of the two losses, they were thoroughly outclassed by Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United but may deem themselves slightly unlucky with their 1-2 defeat at the Den against plucky Millwall. Changes are aplenty at Pride Park this season; Derby have seen a drastic stylistic departure from Gary Rowett’s pragmatic approach, with Lampard attempting to instill a high-pressing, rapid style of football with an emphasis on playing the ball out from the back. He’s also looking to actively bring through youngsters from Derby’s own youth ranks, with the likes of Mason Bennett, Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe seeing significant first-team action in these opening weeks. It’s very much a work in progress and all things considered, six points from four games isn’t a great start for the Rams but it certainly isn’t the worst either.

Lewis Baker was Marcelo Bielsa’s first summer signing at Leeds United, but has only started one match so far. The same goes for Jamal Blackman, who hasn’t been able to displace young Bailey Peacock-Farrell yet. However, Baker has been impressive in his minutes on the pitch. He capped off a solid outing against Bolton in the Carabao Cup with an assist for Samuel Saiz to make it 2-0, and impressed as an early substitute — Bielsa is known for making early substitutions without much deliberation, and did so for the first time at Leeds by taking Kalvin Phillips off for Baker in the 27th minute, after Phillips’ error led to Swansea’s opener — in Leeds’ 2-2 draw against Swansea City.

Trevoh Chalobah, like Mason Mount, has started all of Ipswich Town’s fixtures this season despite their vast depth in midfield and missing a large part of pre-season due to international commitments. Although Chalobah has featured most frequently at center-back for the Chelsea youth teams, he’s also an able defensive midfielder and that’s where Ipswich manager Paul Hurst has chosen to deploy him. Sitting in front of the back four, Chalobah looks comfortable at this level. He’s mobile, very comfortable on the ball and can pick a pass but tends to be a little sloppy at times, which is something he will improve on with more minutes.

Chalobah suffered the ignominy of missing a decisive penalty during Ipswich’s shoot-out loss to Exeter City in the Carabao Cup but bounced back immediately, scoring in their subsequent fixture versus Aston Villa.

Despite the departure of Joe Bryan, Jay Dasilva has failed to force his way into Bristol City’s starting XI after his deadline-day loan signing. Apart from one 13-minute substitute appearance, Jay played 60 minutes in City’s 0-1 loss to Plymouth in the Carabao Cup. This sort of situation is not new to Dasilva, who had to patiently work his way into Charlton’s starting XI and was one of the first names on the team-sheet, once he had. Hopefully the same will happen this season.

Kasey Palmer, claimed as unfit to play 90 minutes by Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray upon his arrival, had to make do with a place on the bench against Ipswich Town, where he had a 28-minute cameo and an excellent chance to score which he unfortunately failed to take. With Bradley Dack in strong form in Palmer’s preferred central attacking midfield position, he’s had to make do with a wide attacking role, replacing Dominic Samuel in the starting XI for Blackburn’s next three games. Kasey still hasn’t played more than 67 minutes in his three starts, but opened his goal-scoring account for Blackburn in the Carabao Cup, versus Carlisle United. He was unavailable for Rovers’ 2-2 draw against Reading after picking up a knock in training, but is expected to be in contention for the upcoming weekend fixture.

Reece James has hit the ground running at Wigan Athletic, who are dispelling any myths about them being one of the weaker teams in the division, following promotion from League One. James has made the starting right-back place his own, starting all of their league games and earning plaudits aplenty from Wigan fans.

Hull City picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday, coming back from behind to win 2-3 against Rotherham United. It was also the first time in four starts that Todd Kane played in his natural right-back position. All his other starts have come in a left-wing role, where he was particularly impressive against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.

Dujon Sterling has been a consistent starter for newly-promoted Coventry City, who’ve had a lukewarm start to the season, picking up 4 points from 4 games. He’s improving with every game, although he’s managed to keep last season’s first-choice right back, Jack Grimmer out of the side (to the chagrin of some Coventry fans). His performance in Coventry’s 1-0 win against Plymouth on Saturday earned him a place in the League One team of the week, before he was deployed in an unfamiliar left-back position in their midweek loss to Blackpool.

Charlie Colkett started Shrewsbury Town’s first league game of the season, as well as in the Carabao Cup and didn’t perform badly despite the pair of losses, but has since been inexplicably dropped completely. On the other hand, Jacob Maddox has started all of Cheltenham Town’s games, although they’ve picked up only a single point and sacked manager Gary Johnson after their draw against Macclesfield Town.

Nathan Baxter appears to have established himself as first-choice goalkeeper at League Two side, Yeovil Town from the get-go. He’s picked up two clean sheets from four appearances in the league, and also started against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup, where Yeovil lost 1-0.

ITALY:

Ola Aina made his Torino debut sooner than one might have expected; an injury to starting right wing-back, Lorenzo Di Silvestri, saw Aina take to the pitch after 27 minutes. The youngster did his chances no harm with a solid performance overall and was unlucky not to be credited with an assist for Iago Falque’s disallowed goal.

Mario Pasalic has started all but one of Atalanta’s matches since his signing and found his scoring boots already, finding the back of the net in a 1-4 demolition of Hapoel Halifa in the Europa League and Atalanta’s opening day 4-0 win against Frosinone.

THE NETHERLANDS:

Vitesse Arnhem made it past their first hurdle in Europa League qualifying with a 5-3 aggregate win over Viitorul but crashed out after losing either leg against FC Basel. Jake Clarke-Salter and Eduardo have been mainstays in manager Leonid Slutsky’s starting XI and while Clarke-Salter has proven to be an able replacement for Matt Miazga, he was very unlucky to be sent off early on against Basel.

Vitesse’s Eredivisie campaign began with an emphatic 5-1 win against FC Groningen, with Clarke-Salter among the goals. The center-back was also particularly impressive in their subsequent game, a 1-1 draw against SC Heerenveen.

It’s still early days but a loan move to Vitesse is proving to be the perfect tonic for Jake after his horror spell at Sunderland last season.

Kyle Scott was a 63rd minute substitute for Telstar, who lost their opening fixture in the Eerste Divisie 1-0, against RKC Waalwijk.

SPAIN:

Michy Batshuayi made his debut for Valencia with a 14-minute cameo against Atletico Madrid, but Kenneth Omeruo, who was not involved for Leganes, will have to wait a little longer to make his.

Joao Rodriguez was not involved in Tenerife’s season opener.

GERMANY:

Baba Rahman made his first start since recovering from injury, in Schalke’s 0-2 win against Schweinfurt in the DFB Pokal.

FRANCE:

Matt Miazga spent one match as an unused substitute before playing the full 90 minutes for Nantes in a 2-0 loss to Dijon.

Victorien Angban marked his Metz debut with an assist in their 3-1 victory over Ajaccio.

SERBIA:

Danilo Pantic’s resurgence at Partizan Beograd continues, with the attacking midfielder scoring twice in his 11 starts for Partizan so far, with one apiece in the Super Liga and Europa League. Partizan upstaged FC Nordsjaelland and currently stand at a 1-1 score against Besiktas, with a daunting trip to Istanbul to follow.

BRAZIL:

Nathan has made three starts for Atletico Mineiro, although he hasn’t yet lasted beyond 61 minutes on the pitch.

SCOTLAND:

Ruben Sammut has started three games for Falkirk in the League Cup, as well as their last Scottish Championship fixture — a 2-1 loss to Partick Thistle — although he was hauled off at half-time.