Chelsea reportedly intend to send Alfie Gilchrist out on loan for the 2024-25 campaign.
Despite his status as one of the club's most valuable academy prospects, Gilchrist entered last season without a single first-team outing to his name.
However, that changed under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, who throughout the campaign needed to fill the squad with youth-team players courtesy of prolonged injury issues.
Gilchrist was one prospect who managed to retain his spot in the senior ranks having initially made his debut during the latter stages of a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in December.
A total of five starts and 12 substitute outings would be made in all competitions, Gilchrist's best moment coming when he scored the final goal of the 6-0 triumph over Everton in April.
Although he collected 17 appearances in total, the 20-year-old would accumulate just the 431 minutes, and regular game time is required to continue his progression.
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Gilchrist unlikely to earn regular game time
There have been few suggestions that Chelsea will strengthen at full-back this summer, with Reece James and Malo Gusto expected to compete at right-back.
Axel Disasi is also able to cover in a wider position if required, leaving Gilchrist in a position where he may find game time at a premium.
While the young Englishman came through the Blues system as a centre-back, standing at 1.83m effectively means representing Chelsea in that role is highly unlikely.
As a result, Chelsea are seemingly inviting interest in the homegrown interest, preferably on loan for the time being.
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Gilchrist admirers both home and abroad
According to The Athletic, Preston North End are interested in signing Gilchrist on a temporary basis.
Ryan Lowe's side generally play with a back three, which would allow Gilchrist to play centrally or as a right wing-back if required.
Meanwhile, newly-promoted Serie A side Como are said to be open to adding Gilchrist to their ranks for their first campaign back in the top flight.
There is a Chelsea link in the form of Cesc Fabregas, who is assistant to Welshman Osian Roberts, and it appears that they could look to make use of that association.
Darren Plant
