Chelsea’s new loan move may prove Blues will make at least one more signing this summer | OneFootball

The news that Ishe Samuels-Smith is wanted by 4 teams on loan and is already close to a temporary move away from Chelsea for the season is interesting on a couple of levels.

We already knew the club didn’t think he was ready for the first team – hence why he wasn’t included in the travelling group for the Club World Cup. And having handed him a new contract not long ago, it never made sense that they would sell.

Chelsea need Marc Cucurella backup with Samuels-Smith gone

Marc Cucurella battles Anthony. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

So clearly the plan is to loan him and let him develop. Not everyone would agree with that move, but if it happens it tells you that the plan is surely to buy another left back, or at least a player capable of playing there.

Marc Cucurella was overused last this season, and continues to be overused in the Club World Cup. And with Renato Veiga set to leave, there will be nobody left to back the Spaniard up. Playing Malo Gusto there isn’t an acceptable solution for the Carabao Cup, let alone the Champions League.

Jorrel Hato looks like prime option for Chelsea

So who might Chelsea target there? A few names have come up, and right now Jorrel Hato sounds like the most likely. He’s 19, talented, plays left back and centre back.

The problem is his price – it’s hard to see him going for less than €40m or even €50m, given his pedigree and age. Still, depending on how many sales we make in the back half of the summer, that could still be possible.

There are other options out there – perhaps a loan with option to buy or an older player on a free as we did with Tosin Adarabioyo last summer. But right now nothing sounds too close.