Analysing Chelsea’s most valuable loanees from 2021-22.

Chelsea are known for having a LOT of players out on loan at any given time, but some are much more valuable than others.

This article ranks the performance of Chelsea’s highest-priced players that were loaned out during the 2021-22 season, to see if they will have a chance at Chelsea, or if they will be sold this summer. 

If you’re a Chelsea fan who wants to find out whether your loanees have been making progress or not – then look no further. 

Connor Gallagher (Crystal Palace) - £22.5 million

Chelsea’s most valuable player who was loaned out in the 2021-22 season is Conor Gallagher and for good reason, because he had a quite remarkable breakthrough season with Crystal Palace, making him one of the most in-demand midfielders in the transfer market. 

In 34 Premier League appearances he showed how effective he can be as an attacking midfielder, scoring eight goals and making three assists, averaging 0.32 goal contributions per match. He was definitely a key reason for Crystal Palace’s good season under Patrick Vieira, helping them to a 12th-place finish. His performances also deservedly earned him his first England call-up in November last year. 

Unsurprisingly, Palace wants to sign the 22-year-old permanently, with the likes of Aston Villa, Everton and Newcastle also interested. But he may just yet be a part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans at Chelsea. 

Played: 34
Passes per game: 30.9
Pass success rate: 81.2%
Key passes per game: 1.1
Shots per game: 1.5
Assists: 3
Goals: 8
Average match rating: 7.08

 

Armando Broja (Southampton) - £19.8 million 

Another highly-rated youngster, Armando Broja is just 20 years old but has already made his mark on the Premier League with some excellent performances for Southampton. He’s quick, can run with the ball at his feet and on his day is a good finisher, scoring a particularly brilliant goal against Crystal Palace. 

He generally improved as the season went on, but what let him down in 2021-22 was his consistency. He averaged only a 6.59 average match rating and scored six goals in 32 appearances, with just one assist.

Although, he still has plenty of time to improve and certainly has a lot of potential. Everton are currently big favourites to sign him this summer, so that suggests Thomas Tuchel is willing to let him leave. But the Toffees will have to pay up if they want a permanent deal, with Broja’s £19.8million valuation. 

Played: 32
Key passes per game: 0.3
Pass success rate: 61.4%
Shots per game: 1.4
Assists: 1
Goals: 6
Average match rating: 6.59

 

Emerson Palmieri (Olympique Lyon) - £12.6 million 

In contrast, left-back Emerson is 27 years old and the upcoming pre-season may be the last chance to catch Thomas Tuchel’s eye, otherwise, he may be moved on this summer. He has been at Chelsea since 2018 but has never really become a regular in the side. 

He spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Lyon, where he did play regularly and performed well at times. He saw a lot of the ball during games and rarely gave it away, averaging an 86.7% pass success rate. He also did well to get the ball in the box regularly, with 0.8 crosses per game. 

However, Lyon only kept six clean sheets while Emerson was playing, which raises questions about his defensive ability, and the fact that he did not really stand out in a league far below the quality of the Premier League suggests he will not be playing at Stamford Bridge in the coming campaign. 
Played: 29
Pass success rate: 86.7%
Crosses per game: 0.8
Tackles per game: 1.6
Interceptions per game: 0.9
Clean sheets: 6
Assists: 2
Goals: 1
Average match rating: 6.91

 

Ethan Ampadu (Venezia FC) - £11.7 million

A slightly more exciting defender, Ethan Ampadu had his first season playing regular football at a high level with Venezia last season. As a team, the Italian club were abysmal and ultimately finished dead last in Serie A, but Ampadu was one of their better players. 

He averaged 2.3 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 2.5 clearances per game. He also has decent ability on the ball, too, with a 76.9% pass success rate. But, you can’t say he had a good season when he was a regular in a side that played so poorly. 

He's still only 21 though and has lots of room for improvement. He’s also looked good playing for Wales in recent weeks, where he’s been in a defensive midfield role, showing his versatility. 

Ampadu is mature beyond his years but will have to grow even further if he wants chances at Chelsea in the future. To prove himself, he may need to go on another loan away from the club. 

Played: 29
Pass success rate: 76.9%
Tackles per game: 2.3
Interceptions per game: 1.8
Clearances per game: 2.5 
Clean sheets: 3
Assists: 3
Average match rating: 6.73

 

Billy Gilmour (Norwich City) - £10.8 million 

Another player who finished in last place with his club, it was a disappointing season for Billy Gilmour at Norwich. The 2021-22 season was seen as a massive opportunity for the Scot to show his potential for which there has been a lot of hype over the last few years, but ultimately, he only managed one assist and no goals in the campaign. 

He does play as a defensive midfielder though who can pull the strings from within his own half and never shies away from receiving the ball, averaging 47.3 passes per game with an 83.7% success rate. 

In terms of his defence, he made an average of 1.7 tackles per game, but Norwich only kept two clean sheets while he was playing. He was admittedly playing for a team not good enough for the league they were playing in, but Chelsea fans would have been hoping he would have stood out a lot more.  

Played: 24
Passes per game: 47.3
Pass success rate: 83.7%
Key passes per game: 1
Tackles per game: 1.7
Assists: 1
Goals: 0
Average match rating: 6.39

 

Michy Batshuayi (Besiktas) - £9 million

Somewhat of a forgotten man at Chelsea, Michy Batshuayi had a decent season playing for Besiktas in the Turkish Lig. He scored 14 goals in 33 appearances for the side, averaging 0.42 per game; the best return he’s had since 2014. 

But, let’s not forget that he was playing at a level far below the Premier League, where he has struggled in the past. Also, the fact that Besiktas aren’t willing to sign him permanently is very telling, too. He’s 28 now, so he can’t use inexperience as an excuse anymore. Thus, it seems unlikely we’ll see him playing for Chelsea anytime soon. 

You get the feeling Batshuayi is happy to see out his contract, which expires in 2023, so it will likely be another loan for him unless someone wants to take a cut-price punt on him. 

Played: 33
Pass success rate: 75.9%
Successful dribbles per game: 1.2
Shots per game: 3
Assists: 3
Goals: 14
Average match rating: 6.94