Young players face potential pitfalls in loan game
Print Edition
AS the English Premier League’s leading clubs step up preparations for the 2014-15 season, some of their most promising young talents are stepping out into the unknown.
With teams like Chelsea and defending champions Manchester City boasting huge, star-studded squads, their younger players have no option but to go out on loan in search of the playing time vital to their development.
For some players it can prove a richly rewarding experience.
Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois has returned to Chelsea after a three-year period at Atletico Madrid that saw him emerge as one of the world’s finest goalkeepers.
His teammate Romelu Lukaku has also benefited from time on loan, excelling at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, although it seems he has yet to convince manager Jose Mourinho of his worth.
Joel Campbell harbors hopes of breaking into the first team at Arsenal after an impressive season with Olympiakos that provided a launchpad for an excellent World Cup with Costa Rica.
For others, however, the loan system can feel like being trapped in a revolving door.
Gael Kakuta joined Chelsea from French club Lens at the age of 16 in 2007. However, with established players like Florent Malouda cemented in Chelsea’s starting 11, Kakuta found limited action.
There followed a succession of underwhelming loan moves to Fulham, Bolton Wanderers, French club Dijon, Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, and Lazio. Now 23, his career is still awaiting take-off.
“I don’t dream about Chelsea anymore. I used to, but now I know better,” Kakuta said last year.
Chelsea loaned out 27 players last season, but the club’s technical director Michael Emenalo says it is designed to help young players.
“The loan process at Chelsea has become very professional and a good deal of thought has gone into it,” he told the club’s website.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
