Chelsea transfer news: Josh McEachran joins Vitesse Arnhem on season-long loan

Blues midfielder set for yet another loan spell as Mourinho plans for Burnley

Josh McEachran, on loan from Chelsea, playing for Wigan (Getty Images)

Chelsea youngster Josh McEachran has joined Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem on a season-long loan - his fifth spell away from Stamford Bridge in just three years.

The 21-year-old joined the Blues thirteen years ago but has struggled to break into the starting line-up during the eras of Claude Makélélé and Frank Lampard while Cesc Fàbregas' arrival makes it even more unlikely now.

McEachran, who made his debut aged 17, has since had spells at Swansea City, Middlesbrough, Watford and most recently Wigan Athletic, where he made seven appearances.

The young Englishman’s exit means José Mourinho currently has fourteen players out on loan including Lucas Piazon, Oriol Romeu, Ryan Bertrand and Thorgan Hazard.

Lewis Baker, a 19-year-old academy product, is set to be added to that ever-growing list in the coming days with a move to Middlesbrough.

Mourinho's men start their Premier League campaign as favourites when they take on newly-promoted Burnley at Turf Moor tonight.

The other two sides to emerge from the Championship last season, Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers, began their top flight campaigns with a 2-2 draw against Everton and a 1-0 defeat to Hull City respectively.