You should have seen the looks on the face of the Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern this morning today when they heard a striker was leaving SW6. Thankfully for them, the fact his name is Patrick Bamford and not Diego Costa calmed a few nerves. 

After a series of loan spells yielding varying levels of success, the 23-year-old looks set to return to Middlesbrough, where he enjoyed perhaps his most productive year during the 2014-15 campaign.

It seems his time at Stamford Bridge is coming to an end on a permanent basis as the Blues see another of their perennial loan army leave the club, though a number of talented youngsters remain in the doldrums at the club’s Cobham base.

Having stockpiled such an array of talent, it’s hard to see everyone breaking into Antonio Conte’s first-team.

With that in mind, here are THREE players who should follow Bamford out of the club on a permanent basis to save their careers.

Do you agree?

Kenedy

Having seen a loan stint with Watford not work out during the first portion of this campaign, Brazilian defender Kenedy is back with Chelsea. Under Guus Hiddink last year, the 20-year-old proved impressive as a left-back, as well as a supporting attacking outlet.

With that in mind, he could really do with banking some first-team games ASAP.

Dominic Solanke

One of the club’s most prolific forwards at youth level, England U19 international is surely unlikely to move ahead of either Diego Costa or Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order anytime soon.

A loan move to get some Premier League football under his belt can help him score goals at the highest level going forward.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

England U21 international Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a curious case right now. It seems the 20-year-old marauding midfielder has been highly-rated for years now, though seems to struggle to break the first-team.

Linked with loan moves away, he could really do with a well-advised spell away from the club to prove he can live up to the hype.