Chelsea have plenty of different players developing out on loan this season, and there’s varied success.
Enzo Maresca is working with a reasonably sized Chelsea squad this campaign, largely because the club loaned out many individuals to give them regular first-team action.
Blues loanees such as Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Renato Veiga (Juventus) and Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund) have thrived so far this season. Incidentally, Dortmund boss Niko Kovac raved about Chukwuemeka after his latest impressive display in the German Bundesliga.
In contrast, the likes of Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) and Raheem Sterling (Arsenal) haven’t had too much joy on their respective loans.
Millwall fans want to sign Chelsea loanee Zak Sturge permanently
Chelsea youngster Zak Sturge, 20, was loaned out to Championship club Millwall in the January transfer window for the rest of the 2024/25 season.
The English left-back has had a stop-start time in South London due to injury and team selection, but he made his first start on Monday during Millwall’s 3-1 league victory at home to Norwich City. It’s a result that keeps the team’s hopes alive of sneaking into the play-offs.
A selection of Millwall supporters on social media agree that they want to sign Sturge on a permanent basis this summer after his performance versus Norwich.
One fan posted: “Zak Sturge… Take a bow Son! #Signhimup.”
“Get Zak Sturge on a perm immediately,” another said.
One supporter wrote: “Massive performances from Zak Sturge on his starting debut.”
“I’ve seen enough. Sign Sturge up,” another claimed.
“If Sturge is available on a free at the end of the season the club have to sign him a top player in the making there,” another added.
Sturge, who joined the Chelsea academy in 2022, is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer. It’s worth remembering that Chelsea beat Tottenham to sign Sturge from Brighton a few years ago.
Unless the Blues negotiate a new deal behind the scenes, he’ll be available for clubs to sign on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Back in February 2023, John Terry praised Sturge after one performance for Chelsea’s Under-21s side.
He’s featured in a matchday squad for the Blues first team without making his senior debut for them, and his loan spell with Millwall in the second half of this campaign follows a stint in League One with Peterborough United in the 2023/24 season.
Zak Sturge’s performance vs Norwich
When you consider Sturge hasn’t played much football in 2025, his display in Millwall’s league win on Monday was pretty impressive.
| Minutes played | Touches | Accurate passes | Tackles won | Clearances | Interceptions | Duels won | Dribbled past | Match rating |
| 89 | 52 | 31/36 (86%) | 2/2 (100%) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7.0 |
Sturge ticks a lot of boxes as a modern defender who can play as a left-back or left wing-back. It’s a shame that he’s only just got into the Millwall XI in the final weeks of the campaign.
On paper, he’s the type of profile that the Blues need to add to their squad next season to provide cover for Marc Cucurella.
Interestingly, on-loan Watford left-back Caleb Wiley, 20, is another young left-back on Chelsea’s books. Will Enzo Maresca’s side consider him or Sturge as a potential option for next year?
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