‘Alfie Gilchrist development at Chelsea likely over after Sheffield United loan’
Alfie Gilchrist’s burgeoning Chelsea career looks to be over before it could really get off the ground after the latest news ahead of the transfer window.
The versatile defender came through the youth ranks with the Blues, and made a handful of first-team appearances for the club during the 2023/24 season under Mauricio Pochettino.
Even so, Gilchrist was allowed to join Sheffield United on loan last summer, and spent the 2024/25 campaign with the Championship side.
Now the 21-year-old looks as though he is set for a further move away from Chelsea again as the market reopens.
Alfie Gilchrist to look for new club
In total, Gilchrist made 32 appearances in all competitions during his spell on loan with the Yorkshire-based outfit.
However, he did not feature at all in the play-offs, as Sheffield United were beaten by Sunderland to miss out on promotion to the Premier League at what would have been the first attempt.
With that loan deal having now expired, the defender is due to return to Stamford Bridge this summer, though that may not be for long.
According to a new update from The Athletic, Gilchrist is expected to explore options for a potential move this summer, as Chelsea weigh up selling numerous players to make room for new arrivals.
Currently there is just a year remaining on the defender’s contract at Stamford Bridge, meaning this summer could be their last chance to cash in on him.
Chelsea stance is something of a surprise
Football Insider Verdict
The fact that the club are seemingly open to allowing Gilchrist leave this summer is in some ways rather unexpected.
With the games he was getting at Chelsea in the latter stages of the 2023/24 campaign, it appeared as though they did have some significant plans for the defender.
Meanwhile, Gilchrist’s own reaction to his first goal for the club in their thrashing of Everton in April 2024 showed just how much it meant to him as a boyhood supporter.
Add in the fact that other centre-backs such as Trevoh Chalobah could be in line to leave Chelsea this summer, and allowing another departure in that position such as this does appear somewhat strange outside of any fee being booked as pure profit on an academy product.
Even so, if they do not feel he will be a long-term option for the club, this could be a sensible moment to let the 21-year-old leave given his contract situation.
When considering the promise he has shown and the useful role he played for Sheffield United this season, Gilchrist should not be short of offers if he does decide to move on either.