Chelsea loan army: Keep, loan or sell? Fikayo Tomori (Part 13)

In Part 12 of this series, I broke down Malang Sarr’s career at Chelsea and discussed what his future in football looks like. For those who haven’t read the introductory piece to this series, a different player will be the subject of a new article every day. I began with goalkeepers and am currently in the process of working my way up the pitch, with each position group being sorted in order by the way in which they appear on the club’s website.

As I move on with the loan army series, I continue the deep dive into the defensive loanees with Fikayo Tomori. Tomori is one of the most recent additions to the loan army and someone that needs no introduction. He spent a season and a half with the Blues under Frank Lampard before departing a few months ago. Before dissecting Tomori’s future at the club, let’s talk about his past.

More from Chelsea FC Loan Watch

• Chelsea: The €30m January signing who will highly excel with Pochettino’s appointment
• Chelsea loan Army: How Ian Maatsen has got on at Burnley
• What’s next for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher as asking price revealed?
• The next man up for Chelsea: Left back Ian Maatsen
• The next man up for Chelsea: Center forward Mason Burstow

What does Fikayo Tomori’s Chelsea career look like?

Tomori may be a new addition to the loan army, but he’s a seasoned veteran at the club, and this isn’t his first time on the loan list. The Canadian-born England international joined the club as a seven-year-old. He rose through the academy ranks as a pacey defender, playing an important role in the Blues’ Youth League and Youth Cup victories in the 2015/16 season.

This earned him Tomori minutes in Guus Hiddink’s squad toward the end of the disappointing 15/16 campaign. He made his first team debut during the final week of the season in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with champion Leicester City. Tomori travelled with Antonio Conte’s Blues to the United States for a pre-season tournament the following season, but didn’t make an appearance. He continued to impress with the developmental side, which saw him loaned to high-flying Brighton in the Championship. Tomori’s 10 appearances on the south coast helped earn the Seagulls automatic promotion.

Tomori was rewarded with a loan to Hull City the following season, who competed in the Championship at the time. He was a staple in the Tigers’ defense along with Michael Hector and Ola Aina. Hull finished near the bottom of the table, but Tomori caught the eye of Derby County. After playing 25 games in a Tigers shirt the season prior, Frank Lampard and Jody Morris secured Tomori’s services for the 2018/19 season.

It was at Derby that Tomori truly broke out of his shell. He went on to play in 55 matches under the tutelage of the former Chelsea duo, winning Derby’s Player of the Year. When Lampard and his staff were named as the Blues’ first team coaching staff the following season, there was little doubt what was in store for Tomori.

The centerback was a crucial piece to Chelsea’s young core following a transfer ban. Lampard relied on players like Tomori, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi to guide the team to a Champions League place. Tomori played a vital part in the Blues’ back line for the first half of the season—with a world class goal to show for his initial success. However, for reasons unknown, he fell out of the side and seldom saw the pitch following his banishing.

These issued bled into the 2020/21 campaign, and Tomori was allowed to depart Chelsea in January for AC Milan. A few injuries at the back saw the Italian outfit take a step back, but Tomori has slotted in and played so well that the Rossoneri want to keep him permanently. Marina Granovskaia inserted a buy option in his loan deal, so the Blues can only sit and wait for Milan’s final decision in a few months’ time.

This begs the question: what does Chelsea do with Tomori this summer?

Verdict: Keep/Sell

Tomori is bound to be the only ‘keep/sell’ player on this list given his unique contract situation with Milan. The 23-year-old has as high a ceiling as any young defender in the world, something Lampard failed to realize for one reason or another—perhaps his biggest fault as gaffer. He’s versatile and adept, while also possessing a ton of experience for a player his age. What’s not to love? If Milan fails to trigger the buy option, Thomas Tuchel and the Blues would be ignorant not to give Tomori his chance. Unfortunately, they may not have a say in the matter.

Remember to check back with The Pride of London each and every day as I dive into the largely uncharted world of Chelsea’s famous loan army. Part 14’s subject is defender Jack Wakely.