OPINION: Returning loan players who could light up the Premier League
With the season drawing to a close, a number of high-quality players will be returning to the Premier League in a bid to secure their first-team status in one of the most competitive divisions in the world.
The old saying goes 'never fall in love with a loan player', but it isn't always that easy and fans are often left hurting when their temporary star leaves at the end of the season.
It should be noted that the selected players may not necessarily star for their current parent clubs, and a loan to a lower Premier League side is entirely possible - a method plenty of teams follow.
With that being said, here are 10 returning loanees that could star in the Premier League next season.
Folarin Balogun (Arsenal/Reims)
Definitely performing at the highest level of all the players on this list, Folarin Balogun has netted 19 times in Ligue 1 with Reims while also setting three up for his teammates.
His fine form has seen him rise into the top five scorers in the league, only behind the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jonathan David and Alexandre Lacazette (and Strasbourg's Habib Diallo).
Despite seemingly facing an uncertain future at Arsenal, the young striker will have plenty of suitors in the Premier League if the Gunners pass up on the opportunity to integrate him into their squad.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (ManCity/Burnley)
Plenty of Championship sides are very clever with how they use the loan market and a lot of deals often benefit all three parties (player, parent club, loan club).
One such example is that of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who excelled at the heart of Burnley's defence on their way to a 100-point title winning season.
His development over the last year has been aided by making 32 appearances for Vincent Kompany's side, who finished the campaign with the best defensive record in the division.
The young centre back has already been on loan to the second tier a couple of times and is now surely going to get a chance in the top flight, potentially heading back to Turf Moor as the Clarets look to retain the majority of their promotion winning squad.
Simon Adingra (Brighton/Royal Union SG)
Another loan from across Europe, Brighton's Simon Adingra has been fantastic in Belgium with Union SG.
The winger has followed a similar trajectory to that of Kaoru Mitoma, spending time on loan at Union SG and is now set to return to the Amex after scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists in all competitions.
With rumours circulating regarding the departure of some of Brighton's key players, Adingra could return and prove to be a valuable member of the squad next season.
Amad Diallo (Manchester Utd/Sunderland)
One of the standout performers in the Championship this season, Amad Diallo has answered plenty of critics with his performances at Sunderland.
Despite struggling to break into United's side and having a disappointing spell at Rangers, the Ivorian has lit up the second tier with 13 goals and three assists and will surely be in Erik Ten Hag's plans when he returns.
His goals have all been of very high quality, often cutting inside from the right and firing into the far corner in unstoppable fashion.
On top of that he excels with the ball at his feet, gliding past defenders and showing all the signs needed of a future Manchester United winger.
Take a look at one of his goals below - there are plenty more where that came from.
Cameron Archer (AstonVilla/Middlesbrough)
Another excellent player who has had to prove himself in the second tier is Aston Villa's Cameron Archer.
The forward only joined Middlesbrough on loan in January after the club beat a queue of others to his signature - highlighting how sought after the youngster was.
He justified that interest with 11 goals and six assists from 20 appearances as Boro finished fourth in the league before going on to lose in the play-off semi-finals.
Despite Ollie Watkins' fine Villa form, they lack depth up front and Archer could easily make a push for a starting berth next season.
Ian Maatsen (Chelsea/Burnley)
The second Burnley loan to feature on our list is Ian Maatsen.
It was only a matter of time before a victim of the Chelsea loan machine popped up, with Maatsen being one of the standout performers in the Championship this season.
Like Harwood-Bellis, he played a huge role in Burnley conceding the fewest goals and recording an unprecedented 100 points.
The Dutchman provided four goals and six assists from left-back and showed over the course of the season that he is ready for a shot at the Premier League, even potentially with Chelsea as they continue to struggle with their full-back options.
James McAtee (Manchester City/Sheffield United)
Another City loanee to excel at a promotion-winning Championship side, James McAtee has been a revelation with Sheffield United this season.
The young midfielder netted nine goals in the second tier as the Blades finished second and confirmed their status as a Premier League club once again.
His fine form alongside fellow City loan player Tommy Doyle had a huge impact on the club's promotion and it seems likely that McAtee will now get a shot in the top flight - either with City or a possible return to Sheffield United.
Cody Drameh (Leeds/Luton)
Granted, Leeds might not be in the Premier League next season but Cody Drameh - who has been on loan at Luton since January - likely will be, with or without them.
The defender is part of a Luton side dreaming of promotion through the play-offs, with only Coventry standing in their way.
He has made 18 appearances since arriving in the winter transfer window and has given the Hatters a new dimension in attack on their way to finishing third in the Championship.
While there's a chance he may find himself a Championship player when the transfer window opens, it surely won't be long until he returns to the top.
Destiny Udogie (Spurs/Udinese)
Destiny Udogie was signed by Spurs in the summer of 2022 and loaned straight back to Udinese, where he has since played 31 times.
Despite joining the club under Antonio Conte's rule, Udogie could still have a future in north London especially with their squad needing a major rebuild.
Left-back has been an issue for Spurs all season, with the likes of Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon failing to impress, leaving the door open for Udogie to claim a spot in the team.
Andrey Santos (Chelsea/Vasco)
Thinking slightly outside the box here, but Chelsea's Andrey Santos has been quietly brilliant while out on loan in Brazil.
While he has played five times (and scored once) for Vasco, the centre midfielder particularly impressed for Brazil's under-20 national team.
Santos netted six times in eight games at the u20 South American Championships, captaining his country to six wins and two draws as they won the tournament - also finishing as the competition's joint-top scorer with the winning strike in the final.
Going straight into Chelsea's first team might come too soon for the youngster, but some minutes from the bench shouldn't be out of the question and he is definitely a player to keep an eye on.
