Thomas Tuchel’s Blues will be looking to put last season’s disappointments behind them, failing to live up to expectations after crashing out of the title race in the middle of the previous term.
Amongst the players returning to Chelsea’s training camp ahead of their pre-season tour includes loanees who will be looking to prove their worth to Tuchel in the club’s pre-season affairs.
With that said, here are three returnees who can make a difference in the coming campaign;
Armando Broja
Over the past few seasons, the Albanian centre-forward has ventured as a loanee in Vitesse and Southampton to gain experience. Throughout the course of Broja’s loans, he has made progressive strides as he has evolved into a deadly forward.
The 20-year-old forward signed his first professional contract for Chelsea in February 2020 and while he has managed only one appearance for the Blues, he has gone ahead to make sixty-two appearances during his loan spells.
Despite not being overlooked by Southampton at the start of the season, he eventually became a regular for the Saints and found the net six times in 21 starts.
With a bright future, this growing young star also set a record during the campaign, being the first Albanian to score in the Premier League.
Following the departure of Romelu Lukaku on loan to Inter Milan, Broja stands a chance to break into Chelsea’s XI. Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has also stated that the young forward is in his plans for the new season and that he will be assessed in pre-season.
Conor Gallagher
Voted Crystal Palace Player of the Season, Gallagher is set to resume pre-season training at Chelsea after his loan spell with the Eagles.
Gallagher joined Crystal Palace in July 2021 on a season-long loan deal. His performances made him a huge fans favourite, with his form from the Eagles midfield earning him his first England senior call-up.
The 22-year-old midfielder announced himself to the English Premier League in the game against West Ham United when he hit the back of the net twice.
Gallagher has since developed into a lethal box-to-box midfielder, with the ability to control possession and arrive in the opposition’s final third to create and score goals.
On his return to Chelsea, Gallagher is one loanee that every fan is expecting to see represent the club’s badge. Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Gallagher is an essential player in his plans for the next season.
Although Gallagher is in competition for a midfield role with Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, he still stands a chance to make a difference.
Due to the other senior midfielders’ lack of fitness and constant injuries, Gallagher has the opportunity to snatch a first-team slot from the veteran midfield maestros.
Ian Maatsen
The 20-year-old Dutch professional is a utility player that can play at left-back, centre-back, wing-back, or central-midfield.
Maatsen made his senior debut for Chelsea in September 2019 in a Cup game against Grimsby Town. Therefore, owing to his performance at the academy and need for experience, Chelsea loaned Maatsen to Charlton Athletic in October 2020. He managed 35 appearances for the League One team and became popular among the supporters.
Maatsen spent the 2021/2022 campaign with Coventry City, where he sealed his first XI spot and made 41 appearances in all competitions. His incredible performance saw him named the Young Player of the Season at Coventry City.
With the USA pre-season tour approaching, Maatsen is another talented Blue loanee looking to get a spot in the squad and make a difference for Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.
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