:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49498305/GettyImages-502084120.0.jpg)
According to the London Evening Standard, defender Michael Hector, who spent the season on loan at his former club Reading, is still set for a playing role in Chelsea's first-team next season. The 23-year-old player is held in high regard by technical director Michael Emenalo, and is thus backed to stay with the club instead of moving elsewhere as most expect.
Acquired by Chelsea for £4 million last summer, Hector's versatility could be key in this regard as he's able to play as a centre back, full back or defensive midfielder. During his time at Reading, he played as a centre back in most matches, but was eventually pushed up the pitch as the season progressed.
The main reason for keeping him in the Championship this season was supposedly his physical development. Chelsea reportedly like the player's technical abilities, but wanted him to boost his physicality by playing in England's second-level. (In a way, that's similar to the reason Chelsea also loaned Lucas Piazon to Reading this year. They both returned to Chelsea last week to finish out the season in training.)
With no signs of progress in John Terry's contract situation and Kurt Zouma coming off of ACL surgery, Chelsea will certainly be looking for defensive reinforcements this summer. Boyhood Chlesea fan Hector isn't expected to fill in the huge vacant spot left by Terry's potential departure, but he'll surely be in the mix for squad depth.