Seven Chelsea players have rejoined training sessions ahead of their upcoming match against Bournemouth.
Seven Chelsea Players Rejoin Training Ahead of Bournemouth Match
Chelsea is gearing up for a crucial fixture against Bournemouth, and the team has welcomed back several players for the final week of training this season.
During the latter part of last season, Chelsea and their managers often grappled with managing a bloated first-team squad of up to 33 players, depending on injuries. Now, for the last four days of this season, Mauricio Pochettino is experiencing a smaller-scale version of that scenario.
Following a victory over Brighton on Wednesday, the positive atmosphere has returned to Stamford Bridge, even as the season nears its conclusion. Pochettino’s squad has won four consecutive league games, a feat last achieved in October 2022, putting them on the verge of securing a spot in the Europa League. A draw against Bournemouth will confirm sixth place, while a win could see them overtake Tottenham for fifth, should Tottenham lose to Sheffield United.
This marks a significant turnaround for a team that spent much of the year in mid-table. The improvement promises to bring optimism into the summer and the upcoming pre-season. However, Pochettino’s future at the club remains uncertain, as does the potential for significant squad changes.
Several players who spent the season on loan have returned to Cobham for a brief training stint. The Athletic reports that seven players are back, including Mason Burstow, Alex Matos, Omari Hutchinson, and Bashir Humphreys from the Championship, and Tino Anjorin, Dion Rankine, and Harvey Vale from League One. These returns come after promising seasons for many of these players.
Humphreys and Burstow had been with the senior squad during pre-season in America before their loans. Burstow, who debuted in a 3-1 loss to West Ham in August, spent the season at Sunderland but struggled for game time and goals. His contract, like those of the other returning loanees except Humphreys, expires in just over a year.
Humphreys, who debuted last season under Graham Potter, signed a contract until 2027 before joining Swansea, where he played 22 games. His season was marred by injury and managerial changes, but he remains a highly regarded prospect at Chelsea.
Hutchinson had an impressive year at Ipswich Town, contributing to their promotion with 10 goals and six assists in 44 appearances. Anjorin, despite ongoing injury issues, helped Portsmouth secure promotion in League One and remains one of the older academy players on loan. Chelsea will have to decide on his future soon.
Vale and Rankine also had successful spells at Bristol Rovers and Exeter, respectively, and are likely eyeing moves to the Championship. Matos, who joined Huddersfield in January after limited opportunities with the Chelsea first team, also showed promise despite the team’s relegation.
Their return to Chelsea’s training ground underscores the importance of the club’s young talent and rewards their efforts while on loan. This period allows Pochettino to evaluate them before the summer, adding depth to the squad in a more stable environment.
