Ian Maatsen is set to join Charlton Athletic on loan for the season after Chelsea agreed a deal with the Sky Bet League One club.
The 18-year-old defender, who featured in the Carabao Cup last season, has not been part of the coronavirus testing group at Cobham and was limited to a couple of appearances for Andy Myers' development team.
In ordinary circumstances Maatsen would have been part of the squad for the Carabao Cup games against Barnsley and Tottenham Hotspur but he and other young players outside the club's testing bubble could not be risked.
Chelsea have high hopes that the Netherlands underage international, who moved to London in the summer of 2018, can progress into a first-team regular in the future but it was felt that regular senior experience was the best next step for his future.
Confirmation of his switch to Lee Bowyer's side, relegated from the Championship last season, is expected imminently. Crystal Palace defender Ryan Inniss, 25, is also going to join the Addicks on a permanent deal.
Maatsen joins five other Chelsea players on loan in the third tier.
Nathan Baxter, Jon Russell and Tariq Uwakwe are at Accrington Stanley. Midfielder Luke McCormick is at Bristol Rovers and goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe has been loaned back to Burton Albion.
Fellow defenders Baba Rahman and Jake Clarke-Salter are expected to seal loans to Championship clubs before the EFL deadline at 5pm on Friday.
Left ack Rahman has interest from Watford and Middlesbrough, while centre back Clarke-Salter could still return to Birmingham City having spent last season in the second city.
Chelsea are also trying to find a move for Danny Drinkwater but it is unclear if he will move to a team in the second tier.
