Chelsea's youth policy could actually be the example to follow with Andreas Christensen set for first-team role

No club comes under more criticism for their loan and youth policy than Chelsea, but few can argue that it isn't working.

Every year the vast number of Chelsea players that are sent to play elsewhere, up to 38 this term, has been met with a lot of derision.

Granted, it is a healthy part of the business model. Loan fees can mean the transfer fee Chelsea spent on a player is paid off.

That was the case with Thibaut Courtois, who spent three seasons at Atletico Madrid following a £7m transfer from Genk.

Given Courtois' development into Chelsea's first choice keeper, that has to be regarded as a great move. He is now valued by the club in excess of £70m.

Clearly, Courtois is the exception to the norm. The majority will never become regulars for the Blues.

But Chelsea took a conscious decision years ago that the best route to improve Academy or struggling squad talent was to put them at other clubs rather than let them stagnate in the various guises of reserve team football competition.

As part of any agreement, Chelsea insist on being able to coach their players remotely. After every game, a loanee is sent a video and stat pack remarking on areas where they excelled and things to improve upon.

It means that regardless of their Chelsea prospects, the intention is for players to have lengthy professional careers.

Still, it is noticeable that former loanees Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Ake were part of Antonio Conte's squad this season, while Andreas Christensen will return from Borussia Monchengladbach to take part in the next.

Chelsea's record in the FA Youth Cup in the last 10 years is remarkable. They have reached the Final eight times, winning it on six occasions.

This period has also earmarked a significant change from an Academy with a lot of foreign talent to 90 per cent being British, a lot of whom are in Chelsea's catchment area.

Far from being derided, perhaps Chelsea are now the example to follow.