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Although FIFA are in the process of clamping down on player development systems such as Chelsea’s Loan Army, our number of loanees still trying their best to catch the eye remains high (if you consider 31 players out on loan to be a high figure).
Some are already established players, such as Tiémoué Bakayoko or Ross Barkley, whose best hope might be to secure a transfer and find a new (permanent) home as soon as possible. But most are young talents and mostly homegrown, such as defender Marc Guehi, who shone as a youth player for Chelsea and for England, and is currently on his second consecutive successful loan with Championship club Swansea City.
Alongside fellow centre backs Ryan Bennett and Ben Cabango, Guehi has been part of the best defence in the Championship, conceding just 13 in the 23 matches thus far, including yesterday’s 2-1 win over Watford. It is the kind of quality that could lead Swansea back to the Premier League — they are second at the moment behind leaders Norwich City — though Guehi isn’t thinking that far ahead just yet.
“I’m just enjoying it at the moment. Game by game, I’m taking everything in my stride. I’m not taking anything for granted.”
Strong performances from Guehi could also lead him back to Chelsea, and this time for greater involvement than last season, when he made his first two senior appearances, both in the League Cup, before heading out on loan in January.
Guehi credits his recent development to the strength of the Swansea squad, and of course head coat Steve Cooper.
“We’ve got a really good squad, so I must make sure I stay on top of my game.
“The boys challenging to get in the team are making it hard for me as well. I try to take every opportunity and I’m really enjoying the chance of getting that at Swansea.
“That’s credit to the team, credit to how we’re playing and the coaches we have; it’s credit to everyone.”
-Marc Guehi; source: Swansea City AFC
Guehi seems to be the type of player who thrives under heavy competition. If he can maintain that while transitioning to the Premier League, then he would certainly be a great addition to our first-team in the near future.