Chelsea confirmed their squad for the 2016/17 campaign on Saturday, with a number of youngsters being handed a place on the list.
The football is nearly here. Ahead of Chelsea’s opening Premier League game against West Ham United on Monday, the Blues released their confirmed squad list for the 2016/17 season. A number of youngsters were named in an encouraging sign for the club.
Fikayo Tomori, Nathaniel Chalobah and Michael Hector were all included, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek has switched his number from 36 to the 14 vacated by Bertrand Traore.
Meanwhile, Matt Miazga and Kenedy have also been put on the list, despite fervent speculation surrounding their immediate Stamford Bridge futures.
On that note, this squad list is subject to change until the transfer window closes and thus Miazga and Kenedy could still end up on loan.
However, with regard to the likes of Tomori and Chalobah, fans can cautiously take this as confirmation of their significance in Antonio Conte’s plans. The youngsters have enjoyed notable game-time throughout pre-season and they have impressed.
Ola Aina was essentially established as a starting fullback during that period and thus his inclusion is not surprising.
Elsewhere, Victor Moses and Juan Cuadrado are also named. The former was once again the star player during Chelsea’s warmups while Cuadrado has made a serious case to challenge Willian’s spot.
That covers all the major news to be deduced from the announcement (Pedro’s number switch from 17 to 11 had been revealed previously). It is worth noting again that the transfer window is still open and all of these players remain vulnerable to being sold or loaned out.
must read: Bertrand Traore to Ajax: Positive development or another loan failure?
Here is the squad list in full (courtesy chelseafc.com):
1. Asmir Begovic (GK)
2. Branislav Ivanovic
4. Cesc Fabregas
5. Kurt Zouma
7. N’Golo Kante
8. Oscar
10. Eden Hazard
11. Pedro
12. John Mikel Obi
13. Thibaut Courtois (GK)
15. Victor Moses
17. Juan Cuadrado
18. Loic Remy
19. Diego Costa
21. Nemanja Matic
22. Willian
23. Michy Batshuayi
24. Gary Cahill
26. John Terry
27. Jamal Blackman (GK)
28. Cesar Azpilicueta
29. Nathaniel Chalobah
30. Michael Hector
Under 21 Players:
14. Ruben Loftus-Cheek
16. Kenedy
20. Matt Miazga
33. Fikayo Tomori
34. Ola Aina
40. Nathan Baxter (GK)