5 Players Who Should Look to Leave on Loan This January

Despite being one of the poster boys for Frank Lampard’s talented and exciting young side last season, Tammy Abraham hasn’t really been able to cement himself as a regular starter in Chelsea’s team this campaign.

The English striker notched up an impressive 15 goals in 34 league appearances in his breakout campaign for the Blues last season, but has only managed to make eight Premier League starts in the 17 games his team have played so far in the competition.

The arrival of German forward Timo Werner in the summer for £50m along with the veteran striker Olivier Giroud finally getting some recognition for his underrated goalscoring abilities, have seemingly pushed Abraham down the pecking order when it comes to the lone central striker that Lampard likes to operate within a 4-3-3.

A loan move away for Abraham, where he could get regular first team football week in, week out, would allow him to get valuable game time as a regular starter for a club. At the young age of 23, Abraham will still develop his game and a chance to do that on loan would go a long way of helping with that whilst also giving him more opportunities to showcase his talents to Gareth Southgate in the hope of getting a place in England’s European Championships squad. Plus, no doubt Abraham would be a welcome addition in many teams across the Premier League.

Possible destinations: Premier League clubs outside of the top 6

Many Manchester United fans were hopeful of Dean Henderson becoming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s number one goalkeeper after his loan spells at Sheffield United ended and he returned to his parent club, after his two-year stint with the South Yorkshire outfit.

That hasn’t been the case however, with David De Gea being just too good to drop in place of Henderson. The Spaniard has produced some fine performances so far this season, keeping Henderson limited to cup games. Whilst the 23-year-old would still have to be regarded as one of the best backup keepers in the league, surely he is too good to just be waiting in the ranks.

United have plenty of goalkeepers that could do a job filling the role of number two choice, such as Lee Grant or Argentina international Sergio Romero - who hasn’t put a foot wrong since his arrival in 2015. A loan move for Henderson to allow him to again showcase his tremendous ability, especially with the Euros looming, and would be well worth it whilst De Gea continues to be the Red Devil’s man between the sticks.

Possible destinations: Premier League clubs outside the top 10

After arriving at Old Trafford from Swansea for £16m in Summer 2019, few predicted Daniel James to have the immediate impact that he did at United. The Welsh winger scored on his debut, coming on as a substitute against Chelsea on the opening day, starting a run that saw him start in the United XI and score three times in his first four games – including a glorious strike against Southampton.

Towards the end of the season though, James failed to make the same kind of impact and his appearances in the squad became limited. This season the 23-year-old has again been out of favour and restricted to substitute and cup appearances.

James has only six Premier League appearances this season, five of which he started the game. A loan move would be beneficial both United and the former Swansea man, allowing him to develop at perhaps a Premier League team lower in the table, gaining regular first team football and an opportunity to develop further in the England’s top tier.

Possible destinations: Leeds, Aston Villa, West Brom, Wolves, Newcastle

It just hasn't worked out for Eden Hazard at Real Madrid, it's that simple. The Belgian has played just six times in La Liga this season and with injuries and poor form meaning he now has just 22 league appearances in two years at Real, the Chelsea legend needs to start looking at new pastures.

Hazard has only just turned 30 and with Euro 2021 coming up and no doubt a few years left ahead of him, perhaps it's just time for the winger to consider that this move is just one of those transfers that hasn't worked out. After all, this is a man who won Chelsea's Player of the Year four times, but now struggles to make any sort of an impact at arguably the biggest club in the world - a place in which we all thought he'd blossom into one of the very best around.

As to where Hazard could go, take your pick. The one-time PFA Player of the Year winner could likely join any club he looks at given his sensational record of 202 goal contributions in 352 appearances for the Blues. However, other than a move to Chelsea, it's doubtful we'll see him back in England or elsewhere in La Liga, but regardless, this is a man who seriously needs to refind his form, as he is simply too good to not showcase such obscene ability.

Possible destinations: Chelsea, Dortmund, PSG

After bursting onto the scene with some standout performances for Chelsea, many were excited by the look of midfielder Billy Gilmour.

The young Scottish midfielder looked like a real gem with plenty of potential, commanding the middle of the park at such a young age. But with the likes of Kante, Kovacic, and Mount to name a few competing for that same spot, Gilmour can’t find a way into the team and doesn’t get chances to experience football at the top level.

In the Premier League this season, the 19-year-old has made just two appearances this season, with Lampard understandably looking to his more trusted and established stars. A loan move for Gilmour would give his seemingly promising career chance to prosper.

Possible destinations: Sheffield United, West Brom, Fulham, Burnley, Brighton, Newcastle

A player that divides opinion is Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli. The former MK Dons midfielder was regarded by some to be one of England’s most promising talents when he first arrived in north London, but despite making 234 appearances for Spurs, Alli has found himself rarely getting a look-in under Jose Mourinho.

With Alli turning 25 in April, a loan move away from Spurs could help him rediscover the form he can be capable of, especially if it is to Paris Saint-Germain, where his former boss and the man who signed him for Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino, now manages. It does seem as if PSG and Pochettino remain willing to sign the out-of-favour man, but time will tell if the deal gets completed or not, but Alli is reportedly "pushing" for the move.

With the Euro’s approaching in the summer, it would also give him a platform to stake a claim for a place in the Three Lions squad.

Possible destinations: PSG

By Jordan Edmonds