Spare Chelsea left backs Baba Rahman, Juan Castillo nearing loan moves — reports

At the close of business yesterday, Transfer Deadline Day, Chelsea had 25 players out on loan. Since then, one more has been added, with Malang Sarr’s loan to FC Porto confirmed in the last hour. And at least two more could (and probably will) join that group, since the transfer window in the Netherlands only closes today and Premier League teams can arrange deals with Championship sides for another ten days.

First, we have a report from Goal that forgotten man Baba Rahman is generating interest from Middlesbrough and Watford. The 26-year-old left back has made just 21 appearances since 2017 across four loan stints thanks to a series of knee injuries that have all but destroyed what was once a very promising career and prompted Chelsea to spend around €20m in 2015.

Baba was linked with a return to Real Mallorca after his watching brief there last season, but with the team relegated to the Spanish second division, that was never likely to happen. He has two years left on his Chelsea contract.

Juan Familia-Castillo also has two years left, but he was not even supposed to be here anymore. When his loan (back) to Ajax was announced last summer, everyone expected it to become a permanent. It didn’t, just as his rumored moves to Juventus failed to materialize. And so, the 20-year-old is back at Cobham, but not really part of any long-term plans.

He’s now linked with a loan move to AZ Alkmaar, who were in the midst of a potentially historic season before the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancelation of the season that could’ve very well seen them beat Ajax to the Eredivisie title. They were declared second instead, and after losing in the Champions League third qualifying round, will be competing in the Europa League this season (drawn in a group with Napoli, Real Sociedad, and HNK Rijeka).

Castillo didn’t really impress at Ajax as much as it was expected and spent most of the season with the reserves. Getting another chance in the Eredisivie with European football to boot would be great.