Pre-season at Chelsea is currently well under way, with the new season fast approaching, and I'm fairly excited.
Given this is Thomas Tuchel's first full pre-season with the Chelsea squad, he's got the chance to play with the whole Chelsea camp, all the returning loanees, youth players and more. While we have had a few youth departures, there are certainly several players that are fighting for inclusion in the match squad.
I can picture quite a majority of the 'loan army' either moving on through a permanent deal or being sent back out on loan, but I'm hoping that Tuchel is willing to give some of these players chances for the upcoming season.
ARMANDO BROJA - striker
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| Broja got a goal in the friendly against Peterborough on Saturday |
Albanian striker Broja is still only 19, but has already proven himself to be one for the future. He scored 10 in 30 league appearances for Vitesse last season, and already has impressive records in the Chelsea and Albanian youth teams.
There's no doubt our striker situation at the club is a little bit dire currently. Tammy Abraham could most likely be sold on, Giroud has already departed, and Timo Werner and Kai Havertz (while they have found good form under Tuchel) have had their ups and downs in the striker spot, and are also not really 'traditional' centre forwards. Broja is a definite centre forward.
It wholely depends on whether Tuchel believes he's ready yet, but if he isn't, perhaps one more loan move before a push to the first team would be great for Broja. And even if we do end up signing a striker this window; Haaland, Lewandowski, Ings, Lukaku, or someone else, it would be great to include Broja as vital back up.
Plus, as I'm writing this he's just agreed a new 5 year contract, which just shows his commitment to Chelsea. Good stuff.
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK - midfielder/attacking midfielder
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| Tuchel and Loftus-Cheek |
RLC is probably one of my favourite midfielders at Chelsea, and I think he was implemented really well under Sarri, before an injury put a stop to his momentum and he had an unsuccessful loan spell at Fulham. Now at age 25, his career is fairly up in the air.
Tuchel is a big fan, and has compared him to Michael Ballack, also stating last season that he has no intentions of moving him on until he saw him train. I guess we'll just have to find out what he thinks.
Ruben is a player that I think can make a large impact if he regains some lost form and most importantly, picks up some minutes in pre-season. I'm sure Tuchel will give him a shot.
MALANG SARR - centre-back/left-back
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| Sarr frustrated after his long ball to a free Christian Pulisic doesn't result in a goal |
I was actually playing a Chelsea career mode on FIFA about 4 years ago, and signed Malang Sarr on the game when he was still at Nice. Funny how he's now ended up at Chelsea in real life years later, and I'm very excited to see how we utilize him, given how he is still a young and exciting defender.
It seems that out of the 4 CBs we have at Cobham currently: Baker, Clarke-Salter, Miazga and Sarr, Tuchel seems to be most interested in Sarr. We've also waved goodbye to two young Chelsea academy graduates, Fikayo Tomori to AC Milan and Marc Guehi to Crystal Palace. The truth is, we're very overstocked on centre backs at the moment, and obviously we can't keep every single player. We already have first teamers Christensen, Rudiger, Zouma, Silva and Azpilicueta, and if we weren't playing a 3 at the back system, then there would be several players missing out on vital minutes.
From the limited info I heard from the Peterborough game, Sarr seemed to have a decent impact, and I suppose only time will tell how involved he'll become in the team, or if he potentially gets another loan move away. Either way, I believe we've got a very promising defender on our hands.
CONOR GALLAGHER - midfielder
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| Gallagher could most likely leave on loan for the season |
As well as the West Brom Young Player of the Year for last season, Gallagher was the Chelsea Academy Player of the Year in 2019, and joined the likes of Reece James, Mason Mount and Billy Gilmour. So, if all those players got oppurtunities to push into the first team, why not Gallagher?
An energetic and committed midfielder, Gallagher would appear to be a good fit into the Tuchel system, and it seems that Tuchel wishes to keep him around. He'd most likely slot in as one of the midfield 2, as he did on loan as West Brom, but he would then seemingly drop low in the pecking order, as there are several midfielders in our roster better suited for that specific position. Though he'd be an invaluable squad depth player, providing he sticks with us for the season.
CHARLY MUSONDA - winger
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| Musonda back in Chelsea training |
It's finally happening.
Musonda is finally back, after a nasty injury that's kept him out of regular football for a few years now. He looks determined to come back strong and fight for a place, and I can't wait to see what happens with him. He's only scored one goal in his Chelsea career, a solid finish against Nottingham Forest in the league cup, before a loan move to Vitesse in the Dutch League and the injury that has kept him out of regular first team football.
At 24, Musonda still has room to grow, and has certainly shown promise as a fast, skillful winger; someone that will undoubtedly prove useful in Tuchel's attacking line. He wasn't involved in the practice game against Peterborough but I'm hoping he gets a runout at some point, perhaps against Bournemouth or even the upcoming Super Cup match.
Of the 5 I think I'm the most excited for Musonda, I've always liked him as a player and I've always wanted to see him get a shot in the Chelsea team. Maybe this season is that chance?
There's a few other names that I'm a little unsure about. Tuchel may very well try them out, and that's totally alright, whatever works for him. There are players that I feel want moves away from Chelsea, either due to lack of game time, or unhappiness, or both.
Regardless, we're going to see a new and updated Chelsea lineup for the upcoming season, potentially a few changes in formations or tactics from the 'tactical chameleon' himself, who knows.
Either way, we've got some promising players that can step up and fit into the team really well.