What is the meaning of "loan spell" in its soccer context? Why "spell"? And Chelsea got off to a positive start under Mourinho by beating the All Stars -- who shocked United in Bangkok last week -- 1-0 courtesy of a Romelu Lukaku first-half penalty. Kevin De Bruyne was a chief threat on his debut, after returning from a LOAN SPELL at Werder Bremen, and he whistled a thunderous shot past the uprights on 23 minutes.