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Chelsea keep, sell, buy ahead of the 2021/22 campaign: Midfielders

By Akshat Mehrish

Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount runs with the ball during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Luton Town at Stamford Bridge in London on January 24, 2021. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount runs with the ball during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Luton Town at Stamford Bridge in London on January 24, 2021. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on July 14, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on July 14, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

2. Sell/Loan

The Blues have ample cover in the middle of the pitch to see them through four competitions, especially if Tuchel decides to continue with his current system. That spells bad news for several of the first team hopefuls, who are spending the season out on loan at other clubs. The ship has already sailed for some of these players—the likes of Ross Barkley, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater—but there remain a few hoping for another shot at the first team.

Chelsea fans perhaps would be rather disappointed if the club decides to cash in on academy graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Englishman’s road to recovery following a lengthy injury lay-off saw him join neighbours Fulham for the season. He now finds himself out of the picture altogether at Stamford Bridge, with another shot at the first team looking unlikely. Tuchel and Co. might still decide to use Loftus-Cheek next season, depending on some of the personnel shifts. However, if the 25-year-old midfielder is left out of the first team for a second consecutive season, he might opt to leave his boyhood club permanently, rather than go out on another loan.

Conor Gallagher is another player who will be hoping to get the call up for the season by Tuchel after an impressive loan spell at West Bromwich Albion. While the Baggies have struggled this campaign, Gallagher has impressed throughout its entirety. The youngster is currently a key member of the starting XI as West Brom continues its fight for Premier League survival. He is also among the contenders to be crowned their player of the season. The spots in Chelsea’s midfield are limited and that enough could keep Gallagher away from a first-team opportunity in the immediate future. Another loan spell at a Premier League club would not be the worst idea.

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