Frank Lampard interested in four Chelsea players.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection for the friendly against Udinese hinted that the duo of Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi could be counting their days at the west London club. The German coach had dropped both of them from the squad for the final friendly of this summer.
According to media outlet 90min (h/t football.london), the duo could be headed to Everton with the Toffees said to be in talks with the pair. Apart from them, Frank Lampard is also said to hold interest in Armando Broja and Billy Gilmour.
It would be no surprise to see Barkley and Batshuayi leave, especially the latter. Chelsea fans would have forgotten that he is also part of their team with his last appearance coming for the Blues in May of 2021.
Barkley joined Chelsea from Everton in 2018 and after a miserable four year campaign, he could be headed back. The 28-year-old even spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Aston Villa. There too he had an unsuccessful campaign. The former England international could only manage to make 14 appearances last season in all competitions for the Blues.
Batshuayi spent the last season on loan at Turkish side Besiktas JK. The Belgium international made 42 overall appearances scoring 14 times for the club. With the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Armando Broja in the squad, the 28-year-old is way down the pecking order.
Gilmour was not given a shirt number and this would further indicate that he is very unlikely to be part of Tuchel’s plan for next season. It is also best for his individual development to seek a move away with summer.
Tuchel is currently overhauling his squad with the defence still needing to be fixed. The Blues are linked with a move for Benjamin Pavard and Wesley Fofana this summer. With the new season approaching fast, it will be wise for Tuchel to have his house in order.
As for the fans they are very less likely to miss Barkley and Batshuayi. The duo never really got going and their departures would be beneficial to all involved. It remains to be seen if and when they do depart.
Those would also be two names off the wage books as the Blues look to make a fresh start in the Todd Boehly era.
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