Chelsea are in the middle of a squad clear-out as Thomas Tuchel wants to drastically thin down his squad.
However, not all of these players are seemingly leaving on permanent deals, some of them look like they might only being loaned out again, meaning they will be back with us at Cobham ready for another pre-season yet again next summer.
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As frustrating as this is, you can probably put it down to the financial implications of the pandemic still, with many clubs still feeling the effects of this and playing without getting any ticket revenue through the gates last season.
Some of these clubs looking to sign our players simply do not have the funds to do so, this means they can only offer loan moves.
It looks like this is the case for both Michy Batshuayi, who is closing in on a move to Besiktas today, and left back Emerson Palmieri, who’s apparent discussions with Lyon are over a loan move as well.
Chelsea have/will extend both of their contracts for a further year so as not to lose either on a free transfer next summer with their deals ending in 2022.
On the plus side, with loan deals there is always a small renting fee involved, and sometimes the clubs will pay all or some of the players wages depending on the agreement.
There will also be an option or an obligation to buy included in most deals, although we are unsure exactly what, if any, is inserted in either of these.
Unfortunately though, it just looks like a sign of the current times with some clubs, not all of them, but some. Chelsea have managed very well through the pandemic, as have others, but some have been hit hard and still need to fill a squad.
But I wonder how many more of these departures will only be on loan and not permanent deals….
