Chelsea defenders Clarke-Salter, Sterling linked with Birmingham City, QPR loans

Chelsea’s Loan Army may be a bit smaller this season than in recent years — currently counting just 8 players (Ampadu, Baxter, McCormick, Moses, Musonda, Nartey, Nathan, Pasalic) — but several more youngsters are expected to join in the final few weeks of the summer transfer windows. (Remember transfer windows?)

Jake Clarke-Salter could be next in line to do so, with reported interest from Birmingham City in the Championship. The 21-year-old impressed at Vitesse last season, but he remains well down the pecking order at Chelsea, where he has two years left on his contract.

Joining Clarke-Salter could be 19-year-old full back Dujon Sterling, who was briefly with Lampard and the first-team at the start of training camp in Dublin, but was one of the eight to return to London after the first game.

Now he’s being linked with a loan move to QPR, which would be a step up from last year’s successful spell at League One (third tier) Coventry City. Sterling actually has two senior appearances to his name, both from two seasons ago, and has three years left on his Chelsea contract.