Football

So after the distance rules fall away at 16, Chelsea’s academy becomes a place to stash promising overseas players in various teams around Europe?

No. Chelsea have the most successful U18 side in recent years. Loans are used for players who reach 18 as a way of giving them regular playing time, allowing to gain experience and a way of seeing if they will mature into first team players.

Everything one reads about Chelsea's loan programme makes it clear that Chelsea loanees are clear that they are first and foremost Chelsea players. They have to call the club immediately after every game that they play. They are in almost daily contact. Their data is keenly monitored.

When Abramovich bought Chelsea he spent money on both the Youth and Women's sides. Both have been raised to challenge alongside the very best in Europe. FFP brought about a strategic decision to invest further in Youth and to use the loan system to help develop players as a self sustaining financial operation which has the added benefitt that if players like Hudson Odoi, Christianssen or Ampadu make it into the first team, they do so without transfer costs. Chelsea get first pick of a top rate talent pool.