A change of approach needed? (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has given the latest plans on Armando Broja and Conor Gallagher regarding their future after this season. Both loanees are set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer following their temporary spells at Southampton and Crystal Palace, respectively.
Broja and Gallagher have done quite well during their loan spells, which has made the supporters excited to see them with the team from the next campaign onwards. The English midfielder, in particular, has been sensational, which is highlighted by the fact that the 22-year-old had won Palace’s Player of the Season Award.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the match vs Leicester City (h/t Football.London), Tuchel has left things open as of now as he wants to see how they have developed during their loan spells. The boss did say that the Blues duo would be in the team during pre-season, where they will be assessed.
“First of all, they will come back because they are our players. When we send them on loan, we do this for them but also for us to have better players, more experienced players back. They are our players, and I want to have them in pre-season, and then we decide what’s going on.”
The German coach cleared his side by conveying how there are several uncertainties like the sanctions which prevent him from giving a final say. Tuchel also mentioned how the plans would depend on how the stars fare following their return to Cobham at the end of this term.
“It’s heavily linked to them, to how they integrate and what they do and what our ideas are for them and what they want to reach. It’s heavily linked to our sanctions and the situation around the club. It is too early to predict the future for them given the role of the whole season, but they will be back for pre-season, that’s for sure.”
Broja had enjoyed a bright start under Ralph Hasenhuttl but has fallen off in the second half of the campaign. Much of it is not down to his fault as the Saints themselves have run into some trouble which sees them sit just above the tail end of the Premier League table.
Despite that, the Albanian has earned an opportunity to showcase his quality in the first team. The pre-season could be just what the 20-year-old needs, and perhaps he could get a spot with other forwards like Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku failing to meet their expectations.
Gallagher’s situation should be much more obvious at this point. Saul Niguez has not excelled at the Bridge so far, and it would be best to let him return to Atletico Madrid. Ross Barkley has struggled to make a mark, so it would be best to use him to raise some funds for our transfer budget.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are nearing the end of their playing careers, and both of them have struggled to perform consistently at certain times. Mason Mount, meanwhile, plays more in the attack, which paves the way for Gallagher in the team. The loanee has proven his worth by excelling in the PL so far, which shows how he is ready to play at the top regularly.
However, it appears that Tuchel seems to want to assess Gallagher and Broja personally when they return to Cobham training ground this summer. That is understandable, but fans would expect the boss to give them a fair amount of chance to prove themselves during pre-season. Whether that will happen or not, though, remains to be seen.
Chelsea recently loaned Jadon Sancho on a season long load deal from Manchester United. (with an obligation to buy)
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