Chelsea transfer news: Three players 'earmarked' for 2025-26 Strasbourg loan

Chelsea have reportedly identified the three players that they are planning on loaning to Strasbourg for the 2025-26 campaign.

The Blues have just won the Club World Cup courtesy of a famous and comprehensive 3-0 victory over European champions Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night.

Enzo Maresca's squad will now have three weeks off to rest and recuperate prior to 2025-26, when they will be attempting to win the Premier League and Champions League.

While much of the senior group are in place for next season, club officials have work on their hands to facilitate a wide array of exits, most notably involving big earners who have no future at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, there is also the process of loaning a number of prospects to fellow BlueCo-owned club Strasbourg, a method that proved successful during the last campaign as goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and midfielder Andrey Santos helped the French club earn Conference League football.

Which Chelsea players will be loaned to Strasbourg?

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have reached a decision over who they wish to send to the Ligue 1 outfit over the coming weeks.

Goalkeeper Mike Penders, defender Aaron Anselmino and playmaker Kendry Paez are the trio who will seemingly look to enhance their reputations at Stade de la Meinau.

Penders will essentially be replacing Petrovic, who is in line to join Bournemouth in a £25m deal, between the sticks.

Anselmino, who made a brief Chelsea debut during the Club World Cup, is viewed as a straight alternative to Mamadou Sarr, the centre-back who was confirmed as a Blues player last month.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Paez has been inactive for much of 2025 ahead of his transfer to West London, and the masses of attacking talent currently at Chelsea means that a spell on loan at a European club is viewed as the best way to continue his development.

Why could more Chelsea players join Strasbourg?

As recently as Saturday, both clubs confirmed that Mathis Amougou had signed for Strasbourg on a five-year contract. Chelsea are said to possess a buy-back clause.

Diego Moreira left Chelsea for Strasbourg on a free transfer last year and the 20-year-old was one of the stars of 2024-25 with two goals and seven assists from 32 appearances, largely as a left-back or wing-back.

Earlier this month, academy star Ishe Samuels-Smith was linked with an £8m transfer from Chelsea to Strasbourg, the assumption being that a buy-back clause would also feature in any proposal.

With Strasbourg having qualified for Europe, this could prove to be an attractive route for BlueCo. Although the multi-club model receives plenty of criticism, everything seems in place for both Chelsea and Strasbourg to benefit for years to come, even if Strasbourg's fanbase have been left far from impressed.

Written by
Darren Plant