Enzo Maresca made it clear within months of becoming the new head coach who was and was not in his first-team squad.

Questions about how many players the Blues had at their disposal dominated their pre-season preparations. Eighteen departed permanently, with just as many also moving away on loan.

Sixteen more outgoing transfers took place this winter to further trim the group Maresca has to work with at Cobham and afford them more opportunities to play than thus far this season. Two in particular are already impressing elsewhere, which seems set only to benefit the Blues in the future.

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signed three players on loan during the latter stages of this winter's transfer window. leaving topped the billing, while coming in from somewhat went under the radar in comparison.

With those deals done, perhaps surprisingly became one of the stars of after being seemingly at one stage set to sign for before a move to Villa belatedly materialised. Since then, though, Asensio and Rashford have garnered much attention, maybe inevitably as forwards.

But at the back, Disasi has started every match he has been available for since and even did so at right-back during the in midweek. The defender has quickly become key for , and Villa could consider making the move permanent this summer.

made a similarly strong start at , starting five straight matches before an untimely injury late last month. However, the Portugal international is due back this weekend.

Neither deal is known to include an option to make their moves permanent, but further positive performances could allow Chelsea to cash in should they wish this summer. Both playing out on loan rather than scarcely featuring under is only likely to increase their value, and leave the club with welcome decisions to make upon their returns.