Chelsea's loan army is as vast as it is talented, with an incredible 37 players all currently farmed out to other clubs across Europe in an operation spanning England's Football League, the Turkish top flight, the Bundesliga and the Russian Premier League to name just a handful of the exotic locations it has touched this season alone.

The purpose of Chelsea's loan operation was initially to make profit amid an era in which Financial Fair Play appeared set to restrict clubs' activity in the transfer market based on their overall net spend. But the incredible form of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah this season for two of Chelsea's biggest divisional rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool respectively, only highlight how detrimental that approach has been at times, and in any case FFP has proved far less influential than many expected.

So the focus for Chelsea has shifted somewhat, and the real question now is whether any of those currently out on loan have what it takes to follow the path of Andreas Christensen by becoming a first-team regular at Stamford Bridge. Here's a look at five candidates for 2017/18...

Attacking midfielder Mount has been one of Chelsea's most exciting academy players for some time, and the real positive from this season is the incredible ease in which he's transitioned to first-team football during his first ever campaign at senior level - albeit with Vitesse in a Dutch top flight of largely modest quality.

In fact, despite playing predominantly as a central midfielder and starting only 16 of his 23 appearances, only two players have scored more Eredivisie goals than Mount for Vitesse this season. He also ranks first throughout their squad for chances created per match and joint-second for dribbles per match.

Coupled with Mount's heavy involvement in the England setup, winning the Golden Player award as the Junior Lions won last year's U19 European Championship, he looks set for an incredibly bright future.

The ultimate question though, is whether Chelsea have room in the squad for another attacking midfielder, with Eden Hazard, Willian, Pedro Cesc Fabregas and January signing Ross Barkley already at Antonio Conte's disposal.

Who knows what might have been for Marco van Ginkel at Stamford Bridge, had the industrious Dutchman not suffered a serious injury just a few games into his Chelsea career, resulting in him sliding down the pecking order and being forced to settle for a place in the Blues' loan army rather than their first team squad.

In fairness, van Ginkel's loan spells with AC Milan and Stoke City didn't give much to write home about, but the eight-cap international has been a real force since first joining PSV on loan in 2016, going on to bag 29 goals and nine assists in 60 appearances, which is perhaps why Chelsea unexpectedly extended his contract last summer.

And once what has already been the most prolific campaign of van Ginkel's career, netting 12 times from midfield in the Eredivisie, comes to a close, just maybe there will be another chance waiting at his parent club. After all, he's still just 25 years of age.

Batshuayi appeared the bane of Antonio Conte's life at times during the first half of the 2017/18 season before sealing a January loan to Borussia Dortmund, but the Belgium international has been firing on all cylinders for the Bundesliga outfit.

Indeed, the former Marseille striker has averaged almost a goal per game in the German top flight, while twice netting in the Europa League despite Dortmund missing out on a spot in the quarter-finals.

Finding the net, however, has never been the ultimate grievance with Batshuayi - his all-round play being the area of his game that leaves the most to be desired. And the statistics suggest the 11-cap forward, who Transfermarkt value at £22.5million - is still yet to really improve on that front; his passing accuracy is a mere 69%, and he's averaged less than one created chance and one successful dribble per match in the Bundesliga.

But if a striker can consistently score goals, they'll always be of use to a club of Chelsea's calibre.

Had it not been for a serious injury in December, Ruben Loftus-Cheek may well be a shoo-in for a place in England's World Cup squad by now - such was the 22-year-old's incredible start to the season for Crystal Palace, earning him a first senior call-up in November.

What stands out most about the 6 foot 3 midfielder, despite an imposing frame, is his effectiveness when running with the ball, completing a staggering 48 dribbles already this term and becoming a key asset for the Eagles on the counter-attack.

But there are still questions over whether Loftus-Cheek is ready for first-team football at Stamford Bridge, with some clear weaknesses to his game.

Defensively, he's struggled to win the ball back this term, averaging less than one tackle and one interception per match, and his output perhaps isn't quite at the level it should be for such a dynamic, offensive-minded midfielder - scoring only once in the Premier League for Roy Hodgson's side.

Clarke-Salter remains one of Chelsea's more promising academy players and it speaks volumes about his potential that the centre-back is already playing Championship football at just 20 years of age.

But the temporary switch to Sunderland hasn't been a particularly kind one for the England U20, who has kept just one clean sheet and been sent off twice during his eight outings so far.

His actual contributions though, particularly in terms of tackles, headers and clearances, haven't been too bad and it must be said that Clarke-Salter has really been thrown into the deep end this season with Chris Coleman's side rock bottom of the Championship.

Perhaps another loan spell next season is in order before Clarke-Salter gets a chance in Chelsea's first team.

So, Chelsea fans, which loan star would you like to see in the first team next season? Let us know by voting below...