Lack of Champions League football will certainly affect Chelsea’s chances of landing top-class stars this summer but the Blues have one of the strongest squads in the competition, and also have an impressive youth system, that has a number of potential superstars, waiting to break into the first team at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had over 20 players out on loan at various clubs all over Europe and every summer, they are tasked with resolving the future of each of those names. There are a few players who can be effective in the Premier League next season, but one player, who is set to go out on loan yet again is Mario Pasalic.
Born and brought up in Mainz, the Croatian midfielder moved to Chelsea back in 2014 after an impressive season with Hajduk Split. However, he failed to make an impression at Stamford Bridge and spent the last three seasons on loan at Elche, AS Monaco and AC Milan, showing progress every season.
He spent the last season on loan at Spartak Moscow, and picked up four goals and an assist in 10 league games, helping himself to a place in the provisional squad for the World Cup. However, he was not picked for the main team that travelled to the competition and is now ready for yet another loan spell next season.
It is understood that the 23-year old will move to Serie A again, with Fiorentina agreeing on a season-long loan for Pasalic recently. This will be his fifth stint away from Stamford Bridge and it looks likely that he has no future in London. But Chelsea are reportedly not ready to let him leave on a permanent basis yet and want to check his progress regularly in the Italian top flight next season.
At 23, Pasalic needs to establish himself at the highest level quickly. He has six international appearances and is a gifted player, who, like most of his national teammates, is a complete footballer.
He can play a defensive role or even as a centre-back and his versatility will certainly help his side. But the Blues have the likes of N Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater playing in the same roles with Tiemoue Bakayoko an upgrade on Pasalic so unless the Croatian can come up with some serious numbers next season, he may never be able to break into the Chelsea side.
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However, he has the potential to be a star so this season in Tuscany will be the most important in his career.
