Premier League should not allow Chelsea to have 34 players on loan - Hargreaves

Former Manchester United and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has slammed Chelsea’s loan system and called on the Premier League to change the ruling around the number of players clubs can loan out at one time.

The Blues website currently lists a whopping 34 players away from the club on temporary contracts, and Hargreaves has argued it is having a detrimental impact on their careers.

The champions, who came from behind to beat Watford on Saturday, are renowned for having high numbers of players out on loan, and very rarely seeing them make the transition into the first team.

And at a time when Antonio Conte is having trouble with injuries leaving him with a thin squad, Hargreaves feels it is time for the Premier League to step in.

“They shouldn’t be allowed to have 35 players on loan – the Premier League shouldn’t allow it,” Hargreaves said on BT Sport.

“Those players should be at small teams that need quality offensive players, they should play there full time.

“I know they get say £20,000-a-week [at Chelsea] some of these young kids, but it is not beneficial for their career.