Fofana winner, Broja injury boost, Ugochukwu dropped as Gilchrist excels - Chelsea loan latest
It was another mixed week for the Chelsea players currently playing their football away from Stamford Bridge during the 2024/25 campaign. It was always going to be a busy summer in west London with changes needing to be made to Enzo Maresca's playing squad due to the remarkable size of it, and a large number of players departed SW6 on loan whereas others left on a permanent basis.
Quite a few of Chelsea's loanees remained behind in the UK but others headed a bit further afield to get regular first-team minutes in the tank. From Boca Juniors to Burnley and Strasbourg to Sheffield United, Chelsea staff have plenty of games to watch across the globe over the coming months as they get their plans in place for the years ahead.
So how exactly did Chelsea's loan stars get on over the weekend? football.london takes a look below in our latest Chelsea loan round-up.
Andrey Santos, Djordje Petrovic and Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg)
Strasbourg followed up their brilliant win over Marseille with a good point against Lens following a 2-2 draw. Chelsea duo Andrey Santos and Djordje Petrovic both started for the Ligue 1 side in the entertaining encounter, with Caleb Wiley not part of the matchday squad for the fourth match on the trot due to a knee issue.
As a result, the full-back has missed out on Mauricio Pochettino's first USA squad for this month's international games against Panama and Mexico. In terms of the match against Lens, Petrovic did have a hand in the visitors' second goal of the game after his pass to Ismael Doukoure resulted in the midfielder losing possession and Andy Diouf scoring.
Santos helped Strasbourg restore parity on the hour mark after he was pushed over inside the box and Habib Diarra netted the resulting penalty. PSG are next up for Strasbourg after the international break in what should be a very interesting game in the French capital.
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Alfie Gilchrist (Sheffield United)
Alfie Gilchrist played his part for Sheffield United as they recorded a 2-0 win over Luton Town to move into second place in the Championship table. The Blades are level on points with current leaders Sunderland but trail the Black Cats by one on goal difference.
Gilchrist, who came off the bench in the midweek win over Swansea City leading up to the Luton fixture, played 75 minutes of the match in South Yorkshire before he was replaced by Jamie Shackleton for the closing minutes of the contest. The Chelsea academy ace once again made an impression and obtained a score of 7.5 out of ten in The Star's player ratings.
Sheffield United reporter Danny Hall wrote: "Back in the side as one of six changes and had a tough assignment against one of the best attacking wing-backs in the division in Alfie Doughty but Gilchrist dealt with him superbly. On the few occasions Doughty looked like getting some joy he was quickly snuffed out, including one superb challenge which left the Chelsea loanee punching the air in celebration as if he'd just scored a last-minute winner. Unfortunately he also seemed to cramp up in the process and was quickly replaced by Shackleton."
Sheffield United return to Championship action after the international break with a mouth-watering clash at Leeds United on the calendar.
Lesley Ugochukwu (Southampton)
Lesley Ugochukwu was an unused substitute for Southampton's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday. The French midfielder had started the previous game away at Bournemouth but was hooked at half-time as Russell Martin made a triple change with his team trailing 3-0.
Ugochukwu received a mark of four out of ten in the Southern Daily Echo's player ratings for his showing at the Vitality Stadium. They wrote: "A frustrating first half performance, having looked bright in the early moments. Lost the ball too often and should have done better for Bournemouth's opener. He was beaten too easily by Semenyo for their third. Hooked at half-time."
Ugochukwu will be hoping to return to the pitch in Southampton's next league fixture against Leicester City. That is going to be a huge game at St Mary's with both sides in desperate need of the points at the foot of the Premier League table.
Aaron Anselmino (Boca Juniors)
Aaron Anselmino and Boca Juniors returned to winning ways in the league following three successive defeats prior to their victory over Argentinos Juniors. Anselmino played the full game as Boca prevailed 1-0.
Bashir Humphreys (Burnley)
Bashir Humphreys would only be on the pitch for 45 minutes on Saturday afternoon as the Lancashire derby between Burnley and Preston finished 0-0. The 21-year-old has started all five of his Burnley appearances since making the move from Stamford Bridge but this time he was replaced at the break.
He was given a score of six our of ten in Burnley Express' player ratings as they delivered the verdict: "Solid if unspectacular but you could tell Burnley lacked balance with a left footer at right-back. Sacrificed for the returning Connor Roberts at half-time."
Burnley travel to Sheffield Wednesday in their first game after the international break.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Bournemouth)
Kepa Arrizabalaga and Bournemouth were on the losing side last Saturday following a 1-0 defeat away at Leicester City. Facundo Buonanotte scored the only goal of the contest in a game in which the shot-stopper only had one save to make.
Kepa should be a lot busier straight after the international break with the Cherries hosting Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium.
Raheem Sterling (Arsenal)
Raheem Sterling will be looking to make his mark for the Gunners when they travel to Bournemouth once the latest international break has come to a close. An unused substitute in midweek as Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 in the Champions League, Sterling started in Saturday's 3-1 win over Southampton but was replaced on the hour mark with the Gunners having only just cancelled out Cameron Archer's opener.
The experienced player was given a score of seven out of ten in football.london's player ratings. Arsenal correspondent Kaya Kaynak penned: "Did OK on his first Premier League start for Arsenal. Looked a threat down the left even if he held on to the ball a little long at times. A good option for Arsenal going forward now."
Armando Broja (Everton)
The wait to see Armando Broja in an Everton shirt goes on. According to The Athletic, the player is hoping to make his Everton bow in November, with the home game against Brentford on Saturday, November 23, which comes after the final international break of the year, seen as a more likely target.
The report states that the striker has now started light training with the Toffees as he steps up his return from an Achilles injury.
Trevoh Chalobah (Crystal Palace)
While Broja waits to make his Everton debut, Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah played his first minutes in a Crystal Palace shirt on Saturday. The centre-back started in a back three for the Eagles in their 1-0 defeat against league leaders Liverpool, with Diogo Jota nipping ahead of him for the only goal of the contest.
Chalobah did make way in the 88th minute as Oliver Glasner made a tactical change by bringing Daichi Kamada on. Palace have yet to win this season in the league and all eyes will be on their away game at Nottingham Forest directly after the international break.
David Datro Fofana (Goztepe)
Saturday was a day to remember for David Datro Fofana as he scored a 94th-minute winner for Goztepe as they defeated Sivasspor 3-2. Seeing a 2-0 lead eradicated just prior to the hour mark, Fofana was introduced in the 73rd minute as the hosts looked to win the game.
It was some finish as well from the striker as he kept his cool in the dying seconds to fire between the legs of Ali Sasal Vural from just inside the area. Fofana will now be hoping that his winner leads to a start in their next game away at Eyupspor straight after the international break.