The holders of the prestigious Champions League trophy, Chelsea once again prepare themselves for a season of the jaw-dropping fiesta of football. With a colossal loan army present at Thomas Tuchel’s exposal, it’ll be interesting to find out which of Chelsea’s loaned players would earn a ticket to Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel’s revamped Blues outfit have accomplished new ceilings since his appointment in January. And since his appointment, Tuchel has turned Chelsea’s fortunes delivering Roman Abramovich’s targets. A minor stint at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel’s managerial excellence has been on display.
But with a new season approaching, will Tuchel look to bring in a few players from his out-on loan inventory? A hectic European and South American summer after a covid-struck Premier League campaign, the 2021/22 season of English football could be a hectic one.
With chances of injuries increasing with every passing day, Tuchel will look to explore his options without splashing unnecessary bucks in the transfer market. Lampard was given the freedom last summer and the shopping never stopped. Tuchel could be given that much liberty but he’ll look to keep the expenses in check.
We at FootTheBall take a look at the options available in front of Thomas Tuchel to retain from
MALANG SARR
Porto’s towering defender Malang Sarr has turned out to be a defensive rock in Portuguese club, FC Porto. Sérgio Conceição’s appointment instilled a touch of perfection in Porto’s defensive army. With Portuguese legend Pepe leading the backline a strong, young partner would have fulfilled their European dreams. The Blues engulfed Malang Sarr from the jaws of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. After Sarr joined the Bridge brigade, Frank Lampard added him to the Out-on-Loan catalogue.
Sarr can handle and analyze the action to a reasonable degree in practice. When the wingers make those steaming darts up front, he’ll fill in for the opening left open by his teammates. He can keep a dapper watch of competitors and knows exactly how to conduct a defensive masterclass in a variety of circumstances. If Sarr notices that a rival is about to undertake a possibly harmful charge, he will strive to shuffle across the pitch to neutralise the danger by recovering the ball without a frown.
Malang Sarr could be Chelsea’s revelation this summer. With Rudiger and Azpilicueta having a hectic summer at the Euros, Tuchel knows his defensive pair is walking on a thin line. Sarr’s addition to the squad could boost Tuchel’s bench and the Frenchman could be an amazing secondary to an experienced pack of Chelsea defenders.
RUBEN LOFTUS CHEEK
A product of the Blues academy, Ruben Loftus Cheek is friends with every inch of the grass at Stamford Bridge. The flamboyant youngster has been an injury-prone midfielder rarely finding a place in Sarri’s or Lampard’s team sheet. The amelioration of French magician N’Golo Kante and Chelsea’s habit of splashing pounds every summer cost Cheek a spot in the Blues eleven. Possessing electrifying speed and unbelievable talent, he frequently rockets beyond opponents. He frequently launches Chelsea’s attacks while also providing the Blues with a defensive cushion. It’s entertaining to witness Ruben Loftus Cheek waltz through an army of defenders while creating an opening for his team.
He tosses the football quickly and accurately. He can also execute one-twos and makes good use of the open territory. A young but glittering prospect, Loftus Cheek’s addition to Tuchel’s roster could reduce the pressure on Havertz’s and Werner’s shoulders. Kante and Jorginho could fulfil the Blues’ defensive-midfielder dreams while Loftus Cheek could assist his strikers while also helping the French-Italian duo.
— Ruben Loftus-Cheek (@RLC) September 12, 2020
With Chelsea sending a whole army of soldiers to serve their nations either in the Euros or the Copa America, fatigue could cause early headaches at the Bridge. The pre-season carnival could pose as an audition for Loftus-Cheek who would look to impress his German leader if he wants to refrain from departing to another club in the Premier League hierarchy and wants to make it big out of Chelsea’s loaned players.
ROSS BARKLEY
A Merseyside veteran, Ross Barkley is an exceptional prospect available to Thomas Tuchel. The perfect soldier to accomplish Tuchel’s Premier League aspirations, Barkley’s experience and flashiness could garnish Chelsea’s astounding roster. Barkley’s adaptability as a footballer is exceptional which makes him head and shoulders above Chelsea’s other loaned players: he can operate as a playmaker, as an anchoring midfielder, or as a dazzling winger. He is one of the few players who have both of the necessary qualities to be a great footballer: a robust physicality and superb mechanical talents.
Ross Barkley can distribute the soccer quite well and has an excellent vision for defence-splitting passes, both of which are usually reliable. He also possesses the attitude to complete his jaw-dropping pass and push on in his stride. His precision while shooting rockets and execution while fabricating magic in the middle is particularly impressive.
We’ve got a diamond called ROSSS BARKLEYYYYY 💎😍⚽️ pic.twitter.com/FdxMhjr1Vz
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) October 18, 2020
Barkley has a high level of understanding of his surroundings; his calmness and attentiveness keep him cognizant of everything surrounding the midfielder, permitting Barkley to execute sensible decisions, which is a unique characteristic among young prospects. Another street-smart footballer, Barkley could bolster Tuchel’s squad. A goal-scoring machine at Aston Villa, the English midfielder was destined for a career-defining Premier League campaign. But unfortunate injuries and a covid-19 scare harmed Barkley’s long-lasting hopes. Dancing through defences, Barkley could make the Bridge dance to his magical tunes.
With amazing options available for Thomas Tuchel, the strengthened Blues squad looks invincible. While Kenedy and Conor Gallagher could wave goodbye to the Chelsea ship, a few names will possibly be part of Tuchel’s re-installed roadmap.