Even in a climate when some clubs may prefer to use homegrown players over paying big-money fees, teams will always see the benefits of some of their youngsters plying their trade elsewhere for at least a year. In some situations, prospects will spend time at various teams before finally settling into life on more familiar territory, but they will play with the intention of impressing the manager and coaching staff of their parent club. With that in mind, which players have seen their value increase substantially since making loan transfers during the summer window?
Just like punters can benefit from bookmakers.tv, Conor Gallagher has seen his stock rise considerably since earning Premier League experience with West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace. The Chelsea midfielder was a rare shining light during the Baggies' relegation campaign during 2020-21, and he has backed that up with several high-energy performances for the Eagles this season. There remains question marks over whether the England Under-21 international will ever be provided with a year to impress at Stamford Bridge, but already contributing two goals and an assist in five Palace appearances strengthens the argument that he is very much on the right track.
Levi Colwill is several years lower down the production line at Cobham, but that is not to say that the defender necessarily has far to go to match Gallagher for potential. Gallagher served his apprenticeship in the Championship, and Colwill is replicating that method with Huddersfield Town. During his eight league starts, Huddersfield have conceded just 11 goals, five of which came in the same match against Fulham. While the Blues have high expectations of the 18-year-old, they would not have expected the teenager to bed so seamlessly into life in the second tier, and his value will continue on an upward trajectory if he holds down a starting role at the Terriers in the long term.
Brighton & Hove Albion are no strangers to loaning out defenders to EFL clubs, and it is a trend which will surely last given the money that they generated from the sale of Ben White to Arsenal. Not every deal of that ilk will turn out as successful, but the powers-that-be at the Amex Stadium will be looking to reap the benefits from Leo Ostigard's time spent in the Championship. Having starred at Coventry City last season, the 21-year-old Norway international is now part of a promotion bid at Stoke City, already making eight starts for the Potters. Interestingly, Ostigard has less than 12 months remaining on his Seagulls contract, something which his parent club will naturally look to rectify before the end of the year.
