Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of centre-back Bashir Humphreys, according to the Daily Telegraph‘s Matt Law.
Speaking on the London is Blue podcast, the journalist suggested that there is a possibility that the 20-year-old will stick around the senior squad this season:
“I hear Bashir Humphreys has impressed Pochettino in training and behind the scenes… it’s interesting what will happen with him, whether he is a younger player they’d like to keep around and sell a more senior player or whether they look for a loan with a real thought that next season he could come in and compete [for the first team], but I think, from what I understand in pre-season he might be one that actually surprised a few.”
Fans on X are delighted that Humphreys is being considered for first-team duties:
Absolutely baller
— Chelsea-Elite🇳🇬 (@wazo111) August 9, 2023
I knew it, yeeeees ☺️
— TIMELESS DIABLO🥶😈⚽ (@MaziOdih) August 9, 2023
Yessss! He needs to stay! He is so calm under pressure
— Nii Kommey (@_obamaleke) August 9, 2023
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Sell Chalobah and keep him
— Up The Chels (@SW6TONY) August 9, 2023
The boy is a gem, if well managed he has a lot of potential to be a top rated defender
— Samuel (@soaf4u) August 9, 2023
He looked great in preseason. Reminded me a lot of Colwill back there but is able to use his right foot pretty effectively as well.
— Drew (@NewEraChelsea03) August 9, 2023
He still needs a loan move
— Mikkkk (@Mikkk_AK) August 9, 2023
Humphreys has only played once for Chelsea
The England youth international made his debut for the first team in the FA Cup against Manchester City last season.
So far, that has been Humphreys’ only appearance for the Blues. He did, however, get more first experience when he was loaned out to Bundesliga 2 side Paderborn for the second half of the campaign.
He may find it hard to get game time
Despite clearly impressing Pochettino, you do feel the defender is quite a long way down the pecking order, even with Wesley Fofana out injured.
Axel Disasi has been brought in to supplement the likes of Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah. At best, Humphreys may get some minutes in the domestic cups but a loan move may be best for his development.
