The Chelsea “Loan Army” is no longer as potent as it once may have been due to changes in both international rules and our own operational procedures over the past few years.
But as we’ve seen in the case of select players, such as Reece James, Conor Gallagher, or Mason Mount, loan transfers may still play a significant and critical stage in player development, and therefore need to be carefully handled, both before and during an assignment. A poor loan may harm a career just as much as a good one, if not more, therefore attempting to reduce the negative effects is crucial to the project as a whole.
Given this, it may be heartening that we appear to be planning to make investments in that area as well. The Athletic reports that we will name Josh Marsh as our new “loans manager,” presumably to assist Carlo Cudicini, who has been in charge there for some time. After working as Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri’s assistants, Carlo joined that department in 2019 and has been there ever since, although the staff and supporting network surrounding him have been gradually decreasing.
Since 2022, Marsh has served as Swansea City’s Head of Football Operations. However, he is anticipated to take up his Chelsea position next month. Prior to that, he served in different scouting capacities at Huddersfield Town, Southampton, and Wolves. His brother Ed has been a Chelsea scout for the previous nine years. That family has good eyes!