Did Marco van Ginkel have a successful season? 32 appearances. 16 goals. 5 assists. Captain of his (loan) club. Eredivisie champion. Yes is the answer and that’s not rocket science.

“That’s not rocket science.”

So says Eddie Newton, not a rocket scientist, but more importantly Chelsea’s main man (“liaison”) in charge of loanee development.

At 25, Van Ginkel is in the prime of his career. He’s scoring, he has leadership skills and there don’t seem to be any lingering effects from the knee injury that derailed his Chelsea career five years ago. After a pair of seven- and eight-goal Eredivisie campaigns, this time around Van Ginkel doubled his output. Heads are being turned.

“Marco has a very good season at PSV, we are very satisfied with him. There are not many loan players who can say that they are captains at their club. That Marco is, says enough about his qualities. He has done everything this season that we have asked of him. Marco has become an even more complete football player and has fulfilled his potential time after time.” -Eddie Newton; source: VI

So what’s next for the young man? Once considered Chelsea’s midfielder of the future, he never made his mark in post-injury loans to AC Milan or Stoke City. It wasn’t until he returned to the Netherlands, three years after he was hurt, that he again began to blossom.

Which raises the obvious question: is the Eredivisie his level? Or has he grown enough as a player to once again demand a place in the Chelsea squad? Last summer he signed a three-year contract extension, which puts him in our control until 2020. Either that’s a canny business ploy by the board, hoping to eventually cash-in on him, or it’s a sign of confidence. Hard to tell. (Ed.note: probably both!)

Could he be part of a solution to Chelsea’s midfield problems? Putting Van Ginkel and Loftus-Cheek on either side of N’Golo Kanté may not be the worst idea, for example. It may not be the best either, but could certainly be useful as an option, both in terms of the football and the financials. Power, pace, goals, and a bit of tenacity — it’s got potential.

Or... maybe he’ll be sold while he has maximum value. PSV Eindhoven are understandably keen to have him on a permanent basis. But it’s not just the Dutch champions who want him, according to Newton.

“That is of course between us and the player. But it is clear that Marco has been in the spotlight and that there are several clubs that are interested in him.” -Eddie Newton; source: VI

Newton’s playing it coy. Anything less would be unprofessional (and he’d rapidly be unemployed.)

But we can make some educated guesses. At a minimum, we can expect Van Ginkel to be an early attendee at Chelsea’s pre-season training. The Netherlands aren’t in the World Cup so he’ll have ample opportunity to impress the coach, whoever that may end up being. It’s entirely possible that his future at Stamford Bridge will be riding on the philosophy of that coach, and whether or not he fits his system. And then the board will have a tough decision. Van Ginkel may be at peak market value. Do they stick... or cash-in and twist?