Chelsea FC sent a remarkable 31 players out on loan at some point last season. So, where are they now? In the case of Fernando Torres or Thorgan Hazard they were sold off to their respective loan club or sold on a “free” transfer. But what about players like Patrick Bamford or Marco Van Ginkel who are still very much in the long term plans of the club?

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Well, according to the Daily Mail, they are right back at Cobham training on their own in what is being called a special “loan squad”. The special squad will be managed by former player Paulo Ferreira and one of Chelsea’s technical coaches Eddie Newton as they are kept apart from the squad that is going on the club’s preseason tour. Chelsea released a list of 72 retained players after the 2014-15 season, much larger than any other squad in England.

Newton told the Daily Mail that they often bring these players back to Cobham so that they feel like they are still part of the club. It may be difficult out there for young players who have never put on a Chelsea shirt in a competitive match and a few weeks training at Cobham can help build some loyalty to the club.

Newton said, “We like to invite all the players back because we like them to feel part of the club. Sometimes it’s not possible because the deal’s been made with another club so therefore, best case scenario, they go to their new club.

He went on to say that some will go on tour with the senior squad while others will stay and train with him and Ferreira. If they are not sent to another club by the time the season starts then they will begin training with the Chelsea U21 squad to stay sharp. Newton is also part of the team that tracks the progress and growth of the players sent out on loan so they are still connected to the club.

Chelsea FC’s new transfer policy has been constantly criticized but it is hard to argue with the results. The Blues developed a world class keeper in Thibaut Courtois through the loan system and have developed a new revenue stream through the sales of players like Romelu Lukaku, Ryan Bertrand, and Patrick Van Aanholt.

Not every player that Chelsea signs will make it to the senior squad but there are not many players in the world who can. This system is designed to keep the club running and to increase its ability to be self-sufficient, not just to find players for the first team. If they do make it then that is an excellent bonus but giving them a chance to play for different clubs and making a profit on their sale seems to be the more attainable goal.