Loanee watch: charting the progress of Chelsea’s youngsters in the EFL | OneFootball

Chelsea possess one of the largest squads in the top flight and with additional bodies arriving at Cobham this summer, it was inevitable that there would be a plethora of departures. Many of the club’s youth team regulars, including Omari Hutchinson, Lewis Hall, and Dion Rankine, have recently secured permanent moves away from West London. However, there is still a sizeable crop of youngsters who have been farmed out to the EFL to pick up some valuable minutes and get a taste of competitive action. With over a quarter of the 2024-25 campaign completed, we’ve compiled a progress report on this small contingent of promising talents.

Alfie Gilchrist

Central defender Alfie Gilchrist was an eye-catching signing for recently relegated Sheffield United. The Championship outfit were amongst the pre-season favourites with the bookmakers to make an instant return to the topflight this season. However, their summer business could have been faster.

The right-footed defender, who has been with the Blues for over a decade, was just one of several impressive captures, alongside Keiffer Moore and Callum O’Hare, which cemented the Blades’ place towards the top of the Championship outright betting markets with most major betting sites.

Gilchrist was included in the first-team squad under Mauricio Pochettino. He has already made a positive impression in South Yorkshire with fans praising his attitude, concentration, and positional sense. The 20-year-old has started 12 of the club’s 14 Championship matches and has established himself as a valued member of the league’s second-meanest defence. Chris Wilder’s men have conceded an average of just 0.5 goals per game and have kept a clean sheet in 64% of their games so far.

Gilchrist has blocked more shots than any of his teammates (26) and has also made the third-highest number of clearances (45). Alongside the experienced duo of Harry Souttar and Anel Ahmedhodzic, the West Londoner is thriving and will return to Stamford Bridge far richer for his experiences in the second tier.

Leo Castledine

Back in 2020, Leo Castledine was described as one of the hottest young prospects in British football. The 19-year-old made his debut for Chelsea in the EFL Cup at the beginning of 2024 and has subsequently been sent out on loan to League One outfit Shrewsbury to cut his teeth in the professional game.

Despite hailing from a famous family, which includes an actress, television presenter and former professional footballer, Castledine was praised by former Salop boss Paul Hurst for his willingness to dig in and ‘help the team’.

The creative midfielder has started 11 of the Shrews’ first 14 games, however, his inclusion in the XI hasn’t improved their fortunes with the Shropshire club currently languishing in the League One relegation zone. As the lowest home scorers in the division, the hierarchy took action and dismissed the aforementioned Hurst at the beginning of November. Castledine will be hoping to make a positive impression with Hurst’s yet-to-be-appointed successor.

On the field, the Blues’ loanee has taken 26 shots so far, ten more than any of his teammates. He’s averaging 3.34 efforts per 90 minutes, although less than 20% of those have been on target.

Ted Sharman-Lowe

Doncaster Rovers weren’t able to secure promotion last season, yet they enjoyed a superb second half of the campaign with on-loan Hull goalkeeper Timothee Lo Tutala playing a decisive role in their upturn in form. The South Yorkshire club were unable to negotiate a return for the popular Frenchman and instead, they turned their attention to Chelsea’s promising young stopper – Ted Sharman Lowe.

The 21-year-old is currently embarking upon his fourth loan spell having previously spent time with Burton Albion, Bromley and Havant & Waterlooville. Nevertheless, this is the first time that Sharman-Lowe has been installed as a first-choice selection and has played every single minute for his temporary employers.

Sharman-Lowe is described as an excellent shot-stopper, as well as being competent with the ball at his feet. He hasn’t missed a minute of the South Yorkshire club’s campaign so far and has a save percentage of 62.2%. He’s faced 37 shots on target making 23 saves, helping his side to four clean sheets in the process.

The 6ft 4inch goalkeeper readily admits that Doncaster have ‘not quite been at 100 per cent’ just yet. However, he believes that the team is heading in the right direction and appears to have settled in nicely at the Keepmoat Stadium.