Chelsea: Tuchel will ‘definitely look at’ £75m duo at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will ‘definitely have a look’ at both Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja in pre-season, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The two academy graduates both impressed during loan spells at Crystal Palace and Southampton, respectively, throughout 2021/22 and could be integrated into the first team at Stamford Bridge next term.

After months of negotiations, the UK government has approved the £4.25 billion Todd Boehly-led consortium takeover of Chelsea, ending Roman Abramovich’s reign.

That should give Tuchel room to manoeuvre in the transfer market. Still, he has already indicated that he is willing to give the returning youngsters in his squad an opportunity to impress.

“It is too early to predict the future for them given the role of the whole season, but they will be back for pre-season, that’s for sure,” said the German tactician.

There could be several changes in Tuchel’s setup next term, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen already set to depart on free transfers, and the likes of Gallagher and Broja may benefit from the turnaround in personnel.

O’Rourke believes Gallagher and Broja will be given opportunities to catch Tuchel’s eye over the summer and reckons the former, in particular, is ‘ready to make that step up’ to Chelsea’s starting XI.

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He told GiveMeSport: “I think he’ll definitely have a look at both players. Both really impressed out on loan, particularly Conor Gallagher had an outstanding season at Crystal Palace.

“I think there’s a real big chance for him maybe to break into that Chelsea midfield next season. He’s been out on loan on quite a few occasions now, so he is ready to make that step up