The Football League loan system allows Premier League youngsters to test the water at a decent level. Here is a rundown of some the players out on loan in the first half of the season.
Jack Grealish
The Aston Villa winger enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Notts County, making 16 league appearances and scoring three goals.
In the midst of a relegation battle, he has put in some quality performances with his trademark rolled-down socks and showed his tenacity to beat his man and cause problems for the opposition. It may not be long until he figures in Paul Lambert’s plans.
Marcello Trotta
It’s surprising that Brentford have welcomed him back after his penalty miss against Doncaster Rovers last season. But, he has atoned for his error by playing an important role in Brentford’s lead at the top of League One.
The former Italy Under-20 striker has scored five goals in a productive season at Griffin Park, with Fulham currently hitting crisis point in the Premier League. Manager, Rene Meulensteen has been keeping an eye on the progress of the 21-year-old forward. Perhaps he could return to become the saviour of the Cottagers.
Andre Wisdom
The Liverpool full-back has been an essential part of Steve McClaren’s Derby County side. The England under-21 international has been a permanent fixture since joining in October and he has been putting in some solid performances at right-back.
A versatile youngster, it is essential Liverpool get his development right. Able to play both full-back and centre-back, he provides them with useful option should Daniel Agger or Martin Skrtel leave.
Patrick Bamford
Currently on loan with Derby County, Bamford enjoyed another positive loan spell at MK Dons earlier in the season. He again showed his goalscoring touch as he scored 14 league goals for playoff chasing Milton Keynes.
Although he has shown signs of becoming a world-class finisher, he still has plenty to learn before he makes the grade at Chelsea. Making the step into a Derby team that are fighting for promotion will only help his chances of potentially featuring at some point for the Blues.
Nathaniel Chalobah
The England under-21 midfielder has just completed another Championship loan spell, this time at Nottingham Forest. However, it didn’t go quite as well as his previous spell at Watford last season.
Forest fans were apparently not impressed by the attitude of the 19-year-old, who seemed to show some disinterest at playing for Nottingham Forest. The qualities he had shown at Watford seemed to get lost as he failed to put in a single eye-catching performance.
He is set to play the remainder of the season at Middlesbrough after ending his loan deal with Forest.
Alex Pritchard
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has been a regular in Swindon Town’s team this season. Along with former Tottenham midfielder, Massimo Luongo he has been putting in some fine individual performances.
Currently in the middle of chasing a playoff place in League One, Pritchard is the sort of player that could push them over the line. Surely it won’t be long until Gareth Southgate selects him for the Under-21s.