Chelsea cannot afford to let Tino Livramento get away

Chelsea seems to have caught a case of academy players abandoning ship. Not that the boat is sinking, it may just be that there is no room for them on the deck. Over the past few weeks, Fikayo Tomori has been sold to AC Milan and Marc Guehi has left for Crystal Palace. Reports suggest that Lewis Bate is closing in on a move to Leeds United and Ike Ugbo is close to joining Genk. Three other academy starlets, Valentino Livramento, Myles Peart-Harris and Dynel Simeu are also considering leaving in search of first team minute elsewhere. All of that being said, it’s Livramento’s departure that will come back to bite the Blues in the behind.

It felt like Chelsea was headed in a very different direction under Frank Lampard’s leadership. After years of seeing Chelsea’s academy graduates being forced to leave the club in search of greener pastures elsewhere, eight players got their debuts under the previous manager. Mason Mount, Reece James, Tino Anjorin, Marc Guehi, Armando Broja, Billy Gilmour, Ian Maatsen and Tariq Lamptey all saw the pathway to the first team for the first time thanks to the former gaffer. Tomori and Tammy Abraham got their long-deserved shot with the first team, as well, although they had debuted under previous coaches. It finally seemed as if the Blues were headed in another direction with their prestigious academy. Things under Thomas Tuchel have not gone according to plan though.

It may seem like an unfair thing to say considering Reece James and Mason Mount started the Champions League final, however, the truth is that they are the best right back and attacking midfielder at the club right now. Abraham was thrown into the wilderness and despite Hudson-Odoi’s vibrant start under the German, he ended up disappearing into the fringes again. Gilmour did get game time, but only when Mateo Kovacic got injured and N’Golo Kante or Jorginho needed to be rested.

Livramento has entered the final year of his contract, which puts the club in a precarious position. Understandably, the 18-year-old wants promise of a first team action. It’s surprising that Tuchel cannot give him this assurance despite the current situation. While Chelsea is fully stocked at left wingback, the Blues realistically only have James on the right, with Azpilicueta not being athletic enough to effectively go forward. Meanwhile, Hudson-Odoi is suspect defensively. The recently crowned Academy Player of the Year is a force both in attack and defense, having provided 13 assists and scored thrice in 26 games.

There are reports that the youngster had been put off by Chelsea’s interest in Achraf Hakimi, but with the Moroccan safely landing at the Parc des Princes, there may yet be an opening. Antonio Rudiger’s future is still somewhat unclear and Thiago Silva is unable to feature in every game, supporters might see James play more as a centerback next season. Tuchel already used this tactic against Leicester City to counter Jamie Vardy’s pace toward the end of the year. There might yet be hope as the youngster has spoken positively on the impact of Tuchel this preseason.

Chelsea played a grand total of 59 games last season, so promising Livramento 15 starts may be a way to keep him in the royal blue threads. Given his physical and technical abilities, the young man has a bright future ahead of him. The Blues should take heed from the mistakes of the past and make sure they keep him in SW6. This can be done by either fast-tracking him into the first team or extending his contract and letting him go develop further via a loan spell, just like countless others before him. Let Livramento not be the one that got away.

What do you think the club should do with Livramento? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!