A host of talented players have been making an impact in new surroundings this term, giving their parent clubs reason to be excited for the future
A grand total of 118 Premier League players were loaned out in the summer transfer window. Fulham did not take the opportunity to arrange loan deals for any promising or out-of-favour members of their senior squad, but all of the other 19 clubs in the division did, to varying degrees of success.
We are not even halfway through the season yet, but some of the more high-profile loanees are already being deemed failures, including Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling. Sancho made a bright start at Chelsea after leaving Manchester United before tailing off dramatically, while Sterling has made zero impact at Arsenal since his switch away from Stamford Bridge.
There is never a guarantee that a fresh start will reignite the spark in talented players. But there are times when it does, like Daniel Sturridge at Bolton Wanderers back in 2011, or more recently, Jesse Lingard at West Ham.
A decent loan spell can be even more important for talented youngsters lacking first-team experience. If they impress elsewhere, a regular spot at their parent club is often the end reward. With all that in mind, GOAL has listed the eight best Premier League loanees of the 2024-25 campaign so far, starting with a forgotten man still on the books at the Emirates Stadium…
Getty ImagesNuno Tavares (Arsenal)
Nuno Tavares hasn't kicked a ball for Arsenal since 2022, and his career reached a new low point last season as he was restricted to just 12 appearances across all competitions on loan at Nottingham Forest. Still, the Portuguese full-back managed to fall on his feet, as Lazio swooped for his services in the summer.
The Italian side have an obligation to buy Tavares outright if he meets certain sporting conditions during his loan spell, and so far, he's done everything within his power to secure the permanent move. In just nine Serie A appearances, Tavares has laid on eight assists, one more than Bukayo Saka has managed for Arsenal this term.
The 24-year-old's superb performances have helped Lazio emerge as early contenders for the Scudetto. Marco Baroni's side can rely on Tavares to give them an extra attacking outlet on the left flank, and he's also significantly improved his defensive game, culminating in a first call-up to the senior Portugal squad.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportCallum Doyle (Manchester City)
At just 21 years of age, Callum Doyle has already made over 70 Championship appearances, having previously enjoyed successful loan spells at Sunderland, Coventry and Leicester. The Manchester City defender is still waiting for his first senior outing with the Premier League champions, but Pep Guardiola won't be able to ignore him for much longer given how well he is performing at Norwich.
Doyle is a versatile, ball-playing defender who loves to drive forward. He's strong, reads the game well and always keeps calm under pressure, which is why he has drawn comparisons with John Stones.
Norwich are struggling in mid-table at the moment, but Doyle has been a real bright spot. He's played almost every minute for Johannes Hoff Thorup's side this season, and has also racked up six-goal involvements. If he can keep it up through to May, Doyle will deserve his long-awaited shot at the big-time in Manchester.
Getty Images SportBen Doak (Liverpool)
Once dubbed 'The Scottish Messi', Ben Doak has generated insane levels of hype ever since his graduation from Celtic's academy as a 16-year-old in 2021. Liverpool bought into his potential the following year, but in a cruel twist of fate, he missed most of the 2023-24 campaign due to a serious knee injury.
Doak eventually returned to full training after recovering from surgery in June, and Liverpool then decided to loan him out to Middlesbrough. That has proven to be a masterstroke, with the pacey forward registering four goal contributions in just eight Championship starts to date. In fact, Doak has impressed so much that Liverpool boss Arne Slot has even joked about potentially recalling him early.
Having only just turned 19, Doak is displaying a maturity and skill level well beyond his years, while giving Middlesbrough fans real value for money with his electrifying runs down the right wing.
Getty Images SportFacundo Buonanotte (Brighton)
Facundo Buonanotte made his senior debut for reigning world champions Argentina in June last year aged just 18, and went on to appear in 36 games across all competitions for Brighton in 2023-24. It was something of a surprise, then, when the Seagulls loaned Buonanotte to newly-promoted Leicester City in August, but the deal was accompanied by a new contract that ties the teenager to the Amex Stadium until 2028.
It may have been a risk, but Brighton wanted to accelerate Buonanotte's development at a club where he is guaranteed to start almost every game, and it's already paying off. The former Rosario Central midfielder has scored three goals, including a brilliant solo winner against Bournemouth, and laid on another two assists in his first 10 Premier League outings for the Foxes.
Buonanotte has provided a touch of class going forward that could be the difference between Leicester staying up or going down. He's a risk-taker with an elegant left foot who carries the ball with confidence and opens up defences with his passing range. If the Argentine ace carries on like this, Brighton could be fielding offers from top clubs across Europe for his services next summer.
