Chelsea will play a quarter of Premier League matches next season against weakened opponents

CHELSEA face playing a quarter of their Premier League matches next season against weakened opposition thanks to their loan deals - threatening the integrity of the whole competition.

The defending champions have a clear advantage over their title rivals just because they have sent so many players out on loan.

Five Chelsea players have made season-long loan moves to other top flight sides over the summer, and none of them can play against their parent club.

That means in ten of the 38 matches Antonio Conte's side play, they will come up against opponents unable to name a full-strength side.

It is an alarming situation that appears to give the Blues an edge over the rest of the division, before a ball has even been kicked.

When Stoke snapped up Kurt Zouma on loan last week, boss Mark Hughes hailed him as one of the best young defenders in Europe.

Zouma is likely to be a hugely influential player in the Stoke back line next season, against every other team except Chelsea.

Swansea are hoping highly-rated striker Tammy Abraham can wreak havoc on Premier League defences in the way he did in the Championship last season.

But their attacking options will be blunted in their two matches against the Blues with Abraham unavailable.

England under-21 star Ruben Loftus-Cheek has joined Crystal Palace, Izzy Brown is expected to shine at Brighton while Kasey Palmer is likely to be a regular in the Huddersfield midfield.

Chelsea are doing absolutely nothing that is against any regulations, as their stockpiling of young talent has seen them develop a booming loan business.

The club currently have 14 players out on loan, with fees being paid for every one of them.

League rules around loans are intended to help the development of young players, giving them opportunities to play top flight football.

But with one club having such a dominant hold on the loan market, the situation is now starting to threaten the credibility of the competition.

The Premier League have been contacted for comment.

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