Chelsea manager hints at first team promotion for Nigeria-eligible winger

Speaking to reporters at the pre-match press conference before the visit to Aston Villa for their penultimate game of the season, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hinted at promoting Faustino Anjorin to the first team, with the winger catching his eye in training.

The likes of Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Reece James and Andreas Christensen rose through the academy ranks before breaking into Chelsea's first team.

Tuchel admitted that he was impressed with the way Chelsea are building for the future and namechecked Anjorin as he discussed the academy players who regularly train with the first team.

"I love the academy boys. I don't treat them differently but I am very, very happy when we have a lot of them on the training pitch," Tuchel said.

"Also right now we have Tino Anjorin, Tino Livramento and other guys who regularly show up in training and try to adapt as quickly as possible to the level and to the work ethic and to be professional like the more experienced players.

"This is what I absolutely love about football in general and about my work."

Since the appointment of Tuchel on January 26, Anjorin has been named in Chelsea's matchday squad on four occasions, against Atlético Madrid (h), Fulham, Arsenal and Barnsley.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel