The most pressing questions as Chelsea’s preseason begins
By Travis Tyler
Sometime this week, Chelsea will start their preseason for the 2021/2022 season. Rumors are conflicting with the actual start being anywhere from today to later in the week. The ambiguity likely has a lot to do with who is reporting back when and how involved they will be. Coaching staff could be back today, some players might start their physicals this week, and others still may need to quarantine before returning.
All that being said, it is certain that things are starting to move at Cobham. These first few days of Chelsea preseason are perhaps the most important for Thomas Tuchel preparing for next season. He will face many pressing questions. What are those questions and why might these next few days be the most telling of preseason?
1. Who from the academy and loan army can make an impression?
It’s important to remember that Tuchel joined midseason, so there is a significant chunk of the squad he’s never seen in person and never had the chance to work with. With so many starters being gone at the Euros, Copa America, or recovering from those tournaments, Tuchel will basically only have players he’s never had a chance to train before.
What will be most interesting is who can make an impression. Several academy stars are sure to get temporarily promoted to fill out numbers. The loan army will return almost in full to show whether they should stay, go out on loan again, or be sold.
There are several that Tuchel will surely want to keep an eye on. If one gap is seen at right wingback, it wouldn’t be shocking for Davide Zappacosta to get a second chance. With Billy Gilmour leaving, a fourth spot in midfield seems very much up for grabs. Trevoh Chalobah, Ethan Ampadu, Conor Gallagher, Ross Barkley, Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will all be looking to make a case for staying to fill that spot or convince Tuchel to change to a midfield three. At the back, Chalobah and Ampadu could be in contention along with Marc Guehi. With Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham both surely leaving, Michy Batshuayi might finally get his chance and Armando Broja will look to make an impression. From the academy, the likes of Tino Livramento, Tino Anjorin, Lewis Bate, and Jude Soonsup-Bell will all look to lay down a marker.
Basically, it will be a free for all for the future of Chelsea. There aren’t many spots in the squad that will be up for grabs but there will certainly be a chance to earn a shot. Doing so might just cause Tuchel to ask for a change in transfer plans.