The ritual of the ‘loan transfer’ has established itself as an essential stepping-stone in the development of our next generation of stars. The moment a manager feels confident enough, young starlets are allowed to flee the nest in search of regular first-team football. During their time away, it is hoped that these promising adolescents will develop a new found maturity as they get to grips with the rigors of professional football. However, on occasion these moves can be victim to their own success as players return to their parent club eager to continue their role in the starting eleven.

A key factor to Swansea’s remarkable maiden season in the Premier League has been their capture of Steven Caulker on loan from Tottenham. The 20-year-old has forged an impressive partnership alongside Ashley Williams and his presence in the side has seen the Swans claim 9 clean sheets in his 22 appearances.

However, as Caulker continues to accumulate a number of accomplished performances, attention has already shifted to his long-term future with the defender acting quickly to state his reluctance to return to the reserves.

“I think for me, it’s key that next year that I want to be playing,” Caulker said. “I had my taste [of Premier League football] this year and I have really enjoyed it.

“Wherever I am next year, the main thing for me is to continue my development and that’s by playing.” (East London Advertiser)

His stance presents Harry Redknapp with a dilemma; does he attempt to make room for Caulker in amongst his vast, yet injury prone centre-back collection? Or does he utilise Caulker’s recent surge in popularity to start a bidding war with possible suitors?

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The most likely scenario is that the defender will return to North London and participate in their pre-season schedule, where his potential impact on the Spurs squad will be assessed. It’s difficult to see Caulker unsettling the likes of Dawson, Kaboul and Gallas in the heart of the defence but considering he has been hailed as the successor to talisman Ledley King, they‘ll be reluctant to let him go. Another Premier League club will perhaps borrow him again for the season, but it’s important not to let continuous loan moves become a pattern as is evident in the ranks of their North London rivals.

Carlos Vela was hailed as the next bright light that could dispel the dark cloud hovering over the Emirates. His pace, flair and fondness for those delightful little chips over the keeper had fans salivating over the Mexican’s potential. However, Wenger has gifted very little playing time to the 23-year-old since he became eligible for the Gunners and Vela has made no secret of his desire to make his current loan spell at Real Sociedad a permanent one.

“I don’t want to return to Arsenal. I have asked my agent to negotiate with Arsenal to stay here.” (The Sun)

Has Wenger paid the price for repeatedly sending his promising youngsters away? It appears – as with Nicklas Bendtner – that just when it looked like they could reap the rewards of successful loan stints, they discover they’ve alienated them both from the club.

Elsewhere on European shores, Manchester City’s John Guidetti has been ravaging his way through the Eredivisie whilst on loan at Feyenoord. His 20 league goals in 23 games has seen the striker hailed in the national press, whilst attracting the admiring glances of some of the world’s biggest clubs. It has also served to inflate his ego to obscene levels with the young Swede declaring his intention to leave Eastlands unless he is given a chance of first-team action next season. The prospect of such a demand being met looks somewhat slim with City already bulging at the seams with attacking talent and this is without the inclusion of any potential summer transfer targets.

The loan market therefore has its pitfalls nestled in-between the obvious benefits, and whilst the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck have forced their way into contention after successful spells away from their parent clubs, not all players will possess the same level of quality to back up their newfound self-esteem. With this in mind you’d better get the aspirin ready with managers likely to face more and more of these selection headaches in the upcoming months.

Come find me on Twitter @theunusedsub where I believe that despite the brilliance of both Bayern and Chelsea, we’re still going witness a final between the two Spanish giants. 

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