Chelsea's summer rebuild may in many ways concern the players they keep as much as those they hope to buy. Antonio Rudiger has already departed with Andreas Christensen soon to follow and the futures of Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso and more are far from certain.
While reports suggest Chelsea could have up to £200million to spend this summer, the business they complete will likely depend on those that depart. As well as those aforementioned players, Romelu Lukaku appears to be considering a move away from Stamford Bridge not even 12 months after signing for £97.5million, while big decisions must be made on the likes of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante whose contracts expire in 2023.
A number of stars will have their futures questioned and queries around where they may lie in Thomas Tuchel's rebuild when the squad returns to Cobham at the beginning of July. football.london takes a look at four players who have not been prominent in Chelsea's first team but are worthy of keeping around.
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Ruben Loftus-Cheek
The Blues midfielder featured more than many might have expected for Chelsea in 2021/22 and drew almost equal praise and frustration from Tuchel. The 48-year-old coach has repeatedly called for more from Loftus-Cheek even after promising performances.
Speaking in April, Tuchel said: "In general, he is shy and a very calm person. He needs to discover this monster in him and unleash this on a regular basis because it is absolutely necessary. It is not enough to be just on the pitch. It might if you regard his last years, it may seem as a first step, good that he is a regular, but I'm not happy because this is not enough. We cannot let him think it is enough, he needs to constantly push himself to the limit.
"We try every day and are quite successful given his development. He needs to understand how much potential he has and unleash this physical capacity on a daily basis. In training, he cannot let loose. He needs to be under pressure and play every game like a cup final."
The 26-year-old made 18 starts in his first season under Tuchel, and while he's far from cemented to be in the starting XI for next term, with so much uncertainty in the middle of the pitch, he can help bring some stability to build from. The difficult in signing a high-profile star to help the transition from the ageing Kante and Jorginho has already been proven in Aurelian Tchouameni and Declan Rice, so Loftus-Cheek's departure shouldn't be considered in the immediate future.
Billy Gilmour
Despite a difficult spell with Norwich in 2021/22, Gilmour could prove the perfect addition to Tuchel's squad next season. The German coach has specific demands on players sent out on loan however.
"He decided to go to get some minutes, and that is important, but first of all, I want him to perform," said Tuchel of Gilmour. "How you make it in our team is by pure performance. If you decide to go on a loan, it is as simple as that. I don't think it's harsh, you need to perform. You need to be on the pitch, to be the top player no matter where you go."
Gilmour has proved he can slot into Chelsea's midfield at the highest level in the past, and with Saul Niguez set to depart and the possibility Marina Granovskaia cashes in on Jorginho as the Italian enters the final year of his deal, it might be the correct time for the 20-year-old to return. With the number of substitutes allowed in the Premier League rising to five, Gilmour can provide extra quality without even been counted in Chelsea's 25-man squad.
The Scotland international has just over 12 months remaining on his contract, so Chelsea will enter a period where his sale may need to be considered. However, even if the Blues have plans to sell him at some point, it's impossible to see how his value would not rise given an extended period with Chelsea, even if that has to include another loan.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
The Cobham product far from had the term he'd have hoped for in 2021/22, with an Achilles injury halting any momentum the winger managed to build under Tuchel to bring an early end to his season. The 21-year-old also suffered a sluggish start with plenty of time spent on the bench after he was denied a move with Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City lurking.
"He waits for a chance in the half left position but he fights against Mason [Mount], Kai [Havertz], Hakim [Ziyech], Christian Pulisic, a lot of guys with a lot of quality," said Tuchel. "It is very hard for him. I agree but we don’t have to feel sorry for him. Once the door is open we demand he goes in between and makes his mark. This can happen at any time. He needs to be ready, this is what we demand from him."
The youngster did find success in his favoured position during the autumn however, and his versatility brought depth to Tuchel's squad. Hudson-Odoi may not have established himself ahead of the likes of Ziyech, Pulisic or Timo Werner for a full season, but he's shown he can be competitive. The Blues will likely look to offload in area of significant depth, but one in which no player has been a standout performer.
Hudson-Odoi is already back in training and clearly has a point to prove. The added bonus he qualifies to not take up extra space in the Blues squad possible gives him a leg up in competition too.
Armando Broja
The Albania international had a quiet end to the season but his nine goals in 38 appearances for Southampton appear to have been enough to draw interest. West Ham are said to be considering a permanet move but it is one the Blues should not be.
With a contract running until 2025, Chelsea should be in no rush to offload their striking talent who will have a chance to impress in pre-season. The futures of Lukaku and Werner may dictate whether there is room in Tuchel's squad, but the 20-year-old's progression at St Mary's shows there could be room for another loan if required given he has only just finished his second season of senior football.
