Chelsea to be boosted by return of two young stars

Chelsea host Leicester City on Thursday evening, knowing that a draw will be enough to secure third place in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United on Monday guaranteed Thomas Tuchel’s side a place in next season’s Champions League, but the German will be keen to ensure rivals Tottenham don’t leapfrog them in the final week of the season.

Tuchel is set to make a number of changes less than a week after his side lost a penalty shootout in a cup final to Liverpool for the second time this season.

The Blues were beaten at Wembley on Saturday, and will finish the season having won the UEFA Super Cup and World Club Cup.

A number of young players could be involved both on Thursday and in their final game against Watford on Saturday, with the likes of Lewis Hall and Harvey Vale looking to be included.

Tuchel will also be buoyed by the return of two other young stars ahead of next season.

As per Fabrizio Romano, both Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja will return to Chelsea at the end of the season.

The Englishman has been one of the standout performers in the top flight this season while on loan with Crystal Palace, and the Eagles were interested in making the midfielder’s stay at Selhurst Park a permanent one.

According to Romano, though, the England international will be involved in pre-season at Cobham.

“They will come back for sure. I want to have them in pre-season,” Tuchel told reporters.

Gallagher is a contender for the Premier League Young Player of the Year award

“We will decide in pre-season what goes on. It is heavily up to Broja and Gallagher – and how they do.”

Gallagher has scored eight goals and registered three assists during his first full season in the Premier League, and he made his England debut in November last year after impressing manager Gareth Southgate.

With Chelsea likely to lose Ross Barkley, Jorginho and forgotten man Danny Drinkwater this summer, Gallagher could be drafted into the first team squad as a third option in central midfield.

Tuchel does, however, also have Billy Gilmour and Ethan Ampadu, on loan at Norwich City and Venezia respectively, as other options in midfield.

Broja, meanwhile, has also impressed on loan with Southampton and is reportedly being monitored by a number of clubs.

The Albanian forward has scored nine goals across all competitions for the Saints, and has been touted as the answer to Chelsea’s striker problem.

Romelu Lukaku has failed to impress since returning to SW6 in a £100 million move, and with Chelsea having sold Tammy Abraham last summer, Broja could be used as a second choice striker next term, with Kai Havertz the club’s only other option.