Tomas Kalas Loaned to Bundesliga Side

So much for a summer break. No sooner does the final part of last seasons loan report go up and i declare a rest for the summer that Chelsea announce changes to the coaching set up in the academy and then the next day the confirmation of the first loan move for the 2014/15 season is confirmed.

The honour of that first move falls to Tomas Kalas, the news of this move had been in the air for a while so it is no surprise to see it finally confirmed. The Czech defender will be spending a third season on loan at German club FC Cologne having previously spent 2 season at Dutch partners Vitesse and last season back at Chelsea.

The move will undoubtedly surprise many as he gave a glimpse last season as to what he has to offer particularly in the game against Liverpool. His solid game and ability to not look out of place in such a high profile game lead many to see him as definitely one for the future at Chelsea and a player who will likely to get more game time in the coming season.

What this does however is shows firstly how difficult it is to break through into Chelsea's first team and secondly how rare it is for Chelsea to take the gamble on young players. Now it is very difficult to guess the motives behind this move as it could be that the player himself has decided he needs to play games next season and forced the move and given some of the noises coming from the player last season that does seem very likely.

Another key factor is that Kalas does not qualify as homegrown in the squad list and as he is now 21 he will not qualify for one of the "free" spots in the squad so will have to take up a place in the roster fully if he is to kept around whereas there are other youngsters that Chelsea can use in that free spot, Kurt Zouma being one of those. It is hard to guess the composition of the squad come the start of the season but that has surely gone into the thinking of Jose especially if there is a new signing as is likely to replace David Luiz as one of the central defensive options.

What is a little surprising is that Kalas has gone to a club newly promoted to the Bundesliga. It is always with loan moves a balance between level of club and playing time, but with so much time in their hands Chelsea must feel for whatever reason that Cologne is the best place for him to be playing next season.

With Chelsea having signed Zouma and with news of a possible signing of Varane plus plenty of other talented youngsters waiting for their turn with the likes of Omeruo, Ake and Christiansen there has to be questions raised over Kalas's long term Chelsea future. To have put in the performances he did for Chelsea last season and to still be on the outskirts of a Chelsea squad place at the age of 21 is a precarious position and only time will show what lays in store for this young man.

You will be able to keep up with the progress of Kalas and all the other Chelsea loan players next season right here.