Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has warned the club’s new players that they will need to impress if they are to earn a place in the starting lineup.
The 23-year-old broke into the Blues’ first-team last campaign, making 30 appearances and memorably scoring on his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace.
After the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Christensen, Chalobah is set to play a major role in the upcoming season, but the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly and the potential of young Levi Colwill has threatened his place in Tuchel’s preferred XI.
But, speaking at a press conference, the England youth international says that as long as you work hard you have a place in the team: ‘They [new signings and returning loanees] just need to impress and be ready.
‘That’s what I did last season and I want to do the same, so for players coming back from loan it’s the same thing really – just give it your all and you never know what could happen.
‘He [Tuchel] definitely sees us as all the same and everyone is on the same level at the moment so it’s up to whoever wants it more and wants to impress.
‘We’re just focusing on pre-season training, getting fit and playing in the games so that’s the focus right now. I haven’t spoken to the manager personally yet, but my aim is just to do well in pre-season, like how I started last year, and start strong again.
‘This is a big club and Chelsea is always going to try to strengthen the team in every position. I’m just focused on what I need to do to get into the team and do what I did last season, to step it up 10 times more and show the manager that I’m ready.’
Chelsea are aiming to sign another centre-back this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Man City’s Nathan Ake all linked.
The Blues have already brought in Raheem Sterling from City and Chalobah has praised the club for acquiring the marquee forward.
‘It brings a lot to the team, how much of a big player he [Sterling] is,’ he added.
‘He’s won a lot and scored a lot of goals so to get that type of player joining our squad to then help us win games and trophies is going to be massive for us. We’re all excited.’
