Talks are now ongoing about a Chelsea defender joining a new club this summer on a temporary basis.
Chelsea know better than most just how effective the loan system can be.
Many Blues players excelled last season away from Stamford Bridge on loan deals, including the likes of Omari Hutchinson and Ian Maatsen.
Chelsea defender linked with loan move
LondonWorld claims that Championship club Leeds United have entered into talks with Chelsea to sign Alfie Gilchrist on loan next season.
It is understood that Chelsea are planning to send their 20-year-old defender to a Championship team this summer.
The report explains that Leeds are now frontrunners to sign Gilchrist, with their manager Daniel Farke putting him high up on his transfer wishlist.
Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers are both looking at the Chelsea youngster, but a move to Elland Road is at this moment in time the most likely scenario.
Alfie Gilchrist to Leeds is a great move
You would suspect that Leeds will be among the favourites for a promotion in the Championship next season, so we quite like the idea of Gilchrist spending next year in their team developing his game.
He played 17 first-team games for Chelsea last season after a promotion from the club’s academy. It’s now time for him to get a full season of senior football under his belt, though.
The aggressive defender impressed as a right-back, albeit he’s been a centre-back during his academy days.
Speaking via Chelsea’s official website in April, Mauricio Pochettino described Gilchrist as “amazing”.
The youngster could have a big future ahead of him at Stamford Bridge, but he needs the right loan move next season.