Three youngsters looking for Chelsea breakthroughs under Thomas Tuchel next season

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is ready to end his side’s season against Watford on Sunday and two young stars could be given a chance to impress against the relegated Hornets – while a third is hoping to impress in the pre-season

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Tuchel reflects on Chelsea’s season ahead of the final game

Thomas Tuchel could be looking to the future at the end of a turbulent season for Chelsea on and off the pitch.

Chelsea manager Tuchel has one of the best academies in Europe and some of the brightest youngsters in the club’s ranks. These players could play a bigger role going forward if Chelsea’s new owner increases their already admirable reliance on homegrown talent rather than big name signings.

But there are exciting young players at academy and on loan who are bound to go far. Here’s a look at the best prospects, who play away in their last game of the season at Watford on Sunday and could potentially even join the first-team line-up next season.

Harvey Vale

The 18-year-old is a versatile striker who can operate in a variety of positions and is showing all signs of following in the footsteps of academy graduates such as Mason Mount, Reece James, Conor Gallagher and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has already given him first team minutes this season and he has represented England from Under-16s to 19s. He has also played as a full-back, can play far or further up the field and his versatility could appeal to Tuchel due to the back-three system he has been using since taking charge.

Vale has one year left on his current contract, there is definitely excitement building around him and he has also shown good leadership skills for the Under-18s, whilst also playing in the Under-23s and in the first-team cups. He is definitely seen as the next young man to rise.

WILL YOU PARTICIPATE! Should Tuchel put his faith in Chelsea’s youngsters next season? Let us know in the comments section

Lewis Hall

Teenager Lewis Hall made history by becoming the club’s youngest player to start in an FA Cup game against Chesterfield aged just 17 years and 122 days. Incredibly, Hall impressed – and assisted Romelu Lukaku in the win – as a central defender when he really is a natural midfielder.

He played the full 90 minutes and has accumulated minutes in all academy competitions while playing for England under 15, 16 and 18. Hall joined Chelsea aged six and can play at left-back, midfielder or centre-back, but his confidence and composure at first-team level has made him a player to watch.

Hall is exceeding expectations and, along with Charlie Webster, is one to watch as an academy graduate making great strides even if regular first-team opportunities are a long way off.

Armando Broja

Okay so not eligible to play Watford but the 20-year-old is one to keep an eye on next season because he was so impressive on loan at Southampton this year, scoring nine goals in 35 games while he was there proved he can handle himself in the Premier League stage.

Conor Gallagher has also shone on loan at Crystal Palace and the two academy graduates will definitely train with Chelsea this summer, with Thomas Tuchel publicly admitting this week he will decide what’s best for them after watching them closely Has. Gallagher has already been called up to England’s senior team and the future looks bright for him, whether at Chelsea or not.

But Broja may have exceeded expectations, garnering plenty of admiring looks from other clubs who may be interested in bringing him on next season or on a permanent basis. Chelsea could be looking at attacking options this summer, however, and Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl insists he is a star in the making and ready to learn. Hasenhüttl said: “It’s good for young players to have situations like this, to get through it. That’s why he came to us to learn and get better.”