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Scott Trotter

Chelsea transfer confirmed as Romelu Lukaku future remains uncertain - Blues loan round-up

Another stretch of Chelsea's domestic season is complete as most of the squad head away on international duty for the first time since the winter World Cup. With just under two weeks until Chelsea's next Premier League match, it offers a moment of reflection to create another launchpad for the remainder of the term.

It also offers a moment to cast an eye elsewhere and Chelsea's loan army of 21 players - many of whom will head on international duty themselves - have been busy. Many will continue to feature in the Championship and League One, while others have already been called up to represent their nation.

For the moment, football.london takes a look at how those players have done over the last seven days.

READ MORE: How Graham Potter will use international break to help Chelsea prepare for Real Madrid test

Romelu Lukaku - The Belgian forward was replaced after 79 minutes as Inter fell to a 1-0 loss against Juventus. Inter CEO Guiseppi Marotta spoke plainly ahead of that match about Lukaku's future at the San Siro.

He told Sky Italia: "The loan was for one season so on June 30 regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea. This has been an unprecedented season. I’m referring of course to the World Cup. The problems we’ve experienced have been experienced by other clubs too and the players who played at the World Cup.

"Lukaku is a case in point. [Marcelo] Brozovic isn’t the Brozovic we know. Lukaku hasn’t found the fitness he needs to play his best football. He’s still not at his best or the player we got to see in years gone by.”

Callum Hudson-Odoi - Hudson-Odoi could only watch on from the bench as Exequiel Palacios' brace ensured Bayer Leverkusen upset Bayern Munich 2-1.

Nathan Baxter - The goalkeeper has not been named in Hull's EFL squad for the remainder of the season as he recovers from injury with Chelsea.

Eddie Beach - The young goalkeeper twice completed 90 minutes as his Chelmsford City side defeated Concord Rangers 2-1 and Worthing 4-2.

Jamie Cumming - The 23-year-old kept a clean sheet as MK Dons defeated Accrington Stanley to move out of the League One relegation zone. The goalkeeper has now earned 13 clean sheets this season despite his side's struggles. Overall, Cumming has racked up 23 shut outs in 68 appearances, one every 2.96 matches.

Teddy Sharman-Lowe - Sharman-Lowe twice completed 90 minutes as Havant & Waterlooville drew 2-2 against Farnborough and 1-1 versus Tonbridge in the last week.

Max Merrick - Was absent from the Hanwell Town squad that lost to Truro City.

Malang Sarr - The Frenchman did not make it off the bench for Monaco's 2-0 win over Ajaccio.

Ethan Ampadu - The 22-year-old played in the centre of defence as Spezia lost 1-0 to Sassuolo and has been called up for Wales for the international break.

Levi Colwill - The central defender made his return to action after injury and seamlessly joined the Brighton starting line-up for the win over Crystal Palace. Colwill was then introduced at half time of Brighton's FA Cup win over Grimsby at the weekend.

Bashir Humphreys - The 20-year-old started as Paderborn lost 1-0 to Jahn Regensburg.

Malo Gusto - The defender continues his rehabilitation on his hamstring injury and has spent time in London.

Henry Lawrence - The defender played the final eight minutes of MK Dons' win over Accrington Stanley.

Ian Maatsen - The Burnley loanee first added to his assist tally in a 3-1 win over Hull City before playing for 77 minutes in the Clarets 6-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Sam McClelland - The Northern Irishman was replaced at half time of Barrow's 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town.

Baba Rahman - The defender is not expected to be available for Reading until after the international break.

Dujon Sterling - The Stoke loanee once again showed his versatility with two impressive performances against Middlesbrough and Norwich, featuring on the left and then right flanks. The Potters recorded 1-1 and 0-0 draws.

Tino Anjorin - The midfielder remains registered on loan at Huddersfield Town but is expected to remain out for the season following his ankle surgery.

Tiemoue Bakayoko - It was another evening on the bench for Bakayoko as AC Milan lost 3-1 away to Udinese.

Xavier Simons - The midfielder's permanent move from Chelsea to Hull City was finally confirmed. Tigers head coach Liam Rosenior was pleased to get the move over the line.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to tie Xavier down on a long-term deal. We’ve worked really hard to get Xavi to commit his future to the club and he’s a big part of my plans.

"He’s got undoubted potential and quality, an outstanding attitude and trains at 100% all the time. He’s got Premier League physicality and athleticism. If we can help him improve his technical aspects and tactical understanding of the game, we’ve got a fantastic asset for the club.”

Cesare Casadei - The Italian midfielder recorded his first goal in senior football in Reading's defeat to Blackburn with a strike from the edge of the box that had put the Royals level. The loanee produced another decent performance as Reading drew with Hull but was not as successful going forwards but showed impressive work off of the ball.

Royals boss Paul Ince was pleased to see Casadei get off the mark. He said: "It was a big night for him. It was great to see him get his first goal. He should have had two or three goals to be fair. I'm pleased for him, as a young kid coming into the game. But now we have to turn these performances into points."

Andrey Santos - Ahead of joining up with the senior Brazilian national team for the first time, Santos completed 90 minutes for Vasco da Gama as they fell to defeat against Flamengo to drop out of the the Campeonato Carioca at the semi-final stage.

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