Chelsea have taken the next step towards completing a rebuild, with Thomas Tuchel welcoming his first signing of the summer. football.london understand that the Blues have agreed a fee with Southampton for goalkeeper Eddie Beach.
The 18-year-old impressed this season on the south coast, having played a pivotal role in the Saints lifting the Under-18 Premier League South division. Beach featured 20 times for Southampton's under-18 side across all competitions, conceding 31 goals in the process.
football.london also understand that several clubs were interested in securing the shot-stopper's signature this summer, but Chelsea won the race. Ironically enough, Beach's final appearance of the 2021/22 U18 Premier League campaign came against the west Londoners - he captained the Saints to a 5-2 win over Ed Brand's side.
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Beach is a Wales youth international, with six caps to date for the Under-19s. He's stepped forward as the first signing of Tuchel's proposed rebuild this summer.
Speaking to football.london, the Blues boss said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to be closing in on the signing of another goalkeeper this summer. The Blues are eager to sign Chicago Fire's teenage goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, football.london has been told.
The 18-year-old was also of interest to Real Madrid, but it looks as if the Blues have won the race. Slonina has featured 13 times in the MLS this season so far, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
His performances have courted the interest of Chelsea, who are now expected to bring the young American to Stamford Bridge. The Blues sounded out a move for the shot-stopper in February of this year with the confidence they could agree a deal, but the sanctions imposed on former owner Roman Abramovich complicated the process.
It's likely that Slonina will be loaned out next season to try and gain more first-team experience. Both Beach's and Slonina's arrivals could have an impact on Kepa Arrizabalaga's future, with the Spaniard subject to interest elsewhere after having fallen out of favour under Tuchel.
