Chelsea have been inadvertently handed a major transfer boost that could save the club millions as Newcastle eye Ralf Rangnick as the Magpies’ new sporting director, according to The Telegraph.
While for many Premier League sides Newcastle’s recent takeover at St James’ Park struck fear into the ambitions of those who now face greater competition in meeting their end of season targets, but for the Blues, Thomas Tuchel could welcome his most prised asset back to Stamford Bridge.
Tino Anjorin joined Lokomotiv Moscow this summer on a season-long loan in search of sustained first-team football after concerns, naturally, that Tuchel wouldn’t be able to offer the England youth international valuable minutes at Chelsea with the wealth of attacking royalty at his disposal.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder was handed the club’s hallowed number ten shirt which was unretired especially for him before uniting forces with ‘one of the best specialists in the world in football education and player development‘ in the shape of Rangnick, who had been appointed earlier in the summer.
Rangnick’s role in the Russian side as the new head of sport and development seemingly proved to be one of the deciding factors in Anjorin’s decision to join Lokomotiv in light of the German’s prior fruitful returns at RB Leipzig, Schalke and Hoffenheim.
A £17 million option-to-buy was ultimately included in Anjorin’s loan deal as well as a £34 million buy-back clause, if both the Cobham graduate and club agree to sign his services on a permanent basis.
But, should Newcastle prise the German player development expert away from Lokomotiv Moscow before a permanent deal with Anjorin is agreed or even register enough interest to determine Rangnick’s future as uncertain, then Chelsea could save themselves a hefty fee for player Tuchel was has missed dearly.
Speaking in March following his recent appointment as Blues boss, Tuchel said of Anjorin: “From the first day I was very impressed because he’s a very physical player, tall guy, strong guy.
“He has the ability to keep the ball under pressure because he has the body for it. we decided to keep him to get to know him better not to give him on loan or find another solution for him in winter and I’m happy about that.
“Anjorin is very strong in finishing in our training, a very nice character, a nice guy from the academy, very humble and at the same time totally focused, totally clear when you talk to him very self-aware a pleasure to work with him and I hope he continues like this.
“He has both feet on the ground and is here and I feel very grateful he has this chance to train and learn at this level and be part of a strong team.”
But, Tuchel’s romantic words didn’t correlate with Anjorin’s game time and the youngster featured just once under the Tuchel before impressing against Tottenham in a cameo pre-season display prior to his move.
Speaking on the youngster’s departure, Tuchel said: “I’m a bit sad because he trained so, so well for us in the last half-year, but the race for top four was on and there were so many decisive matches every three days so it wasn’t the time to try stuff with young players. But he always showed his quality in training.”
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Source by Football London
