For years, Chelsea fans have been calling for academy graduates to be given chances in the first-team squad.
Frank Lampard’s appointment last summer, coupled with the club’s transfer ban, ensured supporters were finally given their wish.
Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Reece James were all regulars in the starting XI last term, and all three look set to play important roles against next term.
However, the future of defender Fikayo Tomori appears far less certain, with the centre-back potentially set for a loan move elsewhere as links to Thiago Silva intensify.
Tomori clocked up 22 appearances for Chelsea last season, of which 21 came in Lampard’s starting XI.
However, the defender did not feature at all post-February and was not selected for any of the team’s fixtures following the restart in June.
Reports in France have claimed Tomori is a target for Rennes on a season-long loan deal and Marina Granovskaia is claimed to be attempting to prolong the negotiation process by holding discussions with as many interested clubs as possible.
While it is unclear which club Tomori will be playing for next season, it appears increasingly likely that he will not be at Stamford Bridge with Lampard intent on strengthening a backline which proved porous in his debut campaign in charge and Silva considered a prime candidate given his availability at the end of his PSG contract.
That news may come as a surprise to fans, as the youngster performed promisingly during his debut campaign and even earned his maiden senior cap for the England national team against Kosovo last November.
The 22-year-old had been an ever-present under Lampard at Derby the previous year and there seemed to be a strong level of trust and understanding between player and coach, much like Lampard’s bond with Mount.
WhoScored rate Tomori’s performance level across the campaign as the second-highest of the club’s central defenders - behind only Kurt Zouma - and a credible 12th in the squad as a whole. By their measurements, Tomori enjoyed a much stronger campaign than both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who are five and two years older than him respectively.
The situation with Tomori indicates that Lampard and club officials believe he’s not currently at the required level to be a part of the first-team squad in 2020/21.
Lampard seems to feel another loan move would benefit the youngster, as opposed to spending most of the season on the bench.
However, Tomori’s displays out on loan could affect his long-term future. If he excels, Chelsea may integrate him again in the future. But if he struggles in Ligue 1 or elsewhere, fresh doubts will be cast on his career at Stamford Bridge.
Tomori’s underlying statistics were hugely promising in 2019/20. He averaged an impressive 2.1 tackles per game, as well as 1.5 interceptions, three clearances and 0.5 blocks.
He penned a new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge in December, meaning the club hold all the aces.
But Lampard and co. now have a decision to make. And if they decide to loan Tomori out again next season, questions will be asked about his future prospects.
