Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admits their loan players could play a major role next season.
Chelsea's sanctions and takeover drama has seen Tuchel admit they're "behind" in the transfer battle ahead of the summer market.
Asked about their loanees, he said: "The loanees have to come back anyway! We are very selfish in that. That's our right. They come back for a point. We have pre-season with them for them to show they can play the role we wish for. They are our players. Whoever takes place needs to do anything to keep the place. The race is on from the first day in pre-season.
"In general, the teams we look at - the top two teams - of course, they bring quality also from outside. We need to be very good in recruiting, very good in scouting, very good in decision making - all of us - to sign the players who are the best fit, bring the mentality, the mindset, the positional profile that you need to improve the squad. It is also here, on a very high level. They need to help us install a kind of consistency because we are capable of producing big moments, big matches, big weeks, but we lack. There are reasons for it in the last weeks and through the season.
"There's no major doubt or fear because we are still talking about sports. I am, in general, a very positive person who believes things will turn out in a good way. It's in our hands to make them good. Whatever comes, we will start the season at some point in early July as Chelsea Football Club. Whoever is on the training pitch will need to be ready so that we push them to the limit. We will be in there 100% and be ready for the fight. We will never give in, never make excuses. Part of being competitive is being competitive with signings and being competitive in the transfer market, of course, this is reality."
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