Chelsea academy graduate Fikayo Tomori is set to be handed a new improved contract by the club, with the defender expected to replace David Luiz in the setup.
According to Goal, Fikayo Tomori is set to be a key part of the first-team setup for Chelsea for the 2019-20 campaign. The youngster is also in line for a new improved contract to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge, with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2021.
The report iterates that the initial plans for Tomori were to be loaned out to gain more first-team exposure and regular minutes at a decent level. But, David Luiz’s surprise and untimely departure on deadline day saw Chelsea block a loan move for Tomori and pencil him as the ideal replacement for the Brazilian for the current season.
The move does make sense. Chelsea will not be able to recruit for the entirety of the 2019-20 campaign, if their appeal to CAS doesn’t result in the ban getting halved or overturned. David Luiz’s departure leaves Frank Lampard with just Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger as the main options, especially with Ethan Ampadu leaving the club on loan.
To add to it, Tomori has played under Frank Lampard already and was an integral part of the manager’s first-team at Derby County that almost earned promotion to the Premier League, albeit for a Playoff Final defeat to Aston Villa. The youngster enjoys the confidence of Lampard and will be a shoe-in to act as a cover at the back.
Currently, Antonio Rudiger is injured and while Lampard is expected to field the pairing of Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen at the back, Tomori could be an option for Chelsea from the bench and for the upcoming games, if the aforementioned pairing does not work.
Tomori’s blocked loan deal could actually turn out to be a strong positive for him. There are only four first-team central defensive options at Frank Lampard’s disposal. With Chelsea set to play Champions League as well, we are destined to see Tomori rack up minutes and appearances for the club this season.
The 21-year-old will follow in the footsteps of fellow teammates and compatriots Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount, who have both recently signed new deals to prolong their association with Chelsea. The future looks bright for Chelsea, especially with the club finally looking to give youth a chance, willingly or otherwise.
