The idea of Chelsea linking up with Hibs to allow players to move between the two clubs sounds exciting. However, Hibs manager Tony Mowbray knows that it is not as simple as it appears at headline level. The clubs down south are able to loan players out for shorter periods than Scottish clubs. This may restrict Hibs chances of exploiting their links with the London club. Chelsea are looking to have priority in signing new Hibs players in return for allowing their young players to move north. However, Mowbray can see the disadvantages and said: "The Championship teams don't abide by the transfer windows. They take players on loan at virtually any time. In Scotland, loan players have got to stay for a six-month period."
Clubs in the English Football League receive special dispensation to operate outside of the transfer windows and that could hamper the chances of tapping into the talent at big-spending Chelsea. Mowbray went on: "We have decided to run with the idea at our own pace and see where it goes. But Chelsea are not a charity, they are not just going to throw players at Hibs or anybody else. The problem we have is that they could loan a player to a Championship team for a month and then just take them back. It's a bit frustrating really because sometimes we are competing for the same players. I would love to bring the young Premiership players that are really talented but not quite good enough to play in their first teams to Scotland. But unfortunately we can't do it. They would love to loan us players for a month but they don't want to lose them for five or six months. They are quite happy to let them go for a month to club X and then call them back."
