Tomáš Kalas has signed a new four-year contract with Chelsea, and re-joined Chelsea’s next-door neighbours, Fulham, on a season-long loan.
HE'S BACK!
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) July 27, 2017
We're delighted to announce that Tomas Kalas has returned to #FFC on a season-long loan https://t.co/UFJjC4xtiZ pic.twitter.com/D7bIMiM8rH
Meanwhile, Tomas Kalas has signed a new contract with the club and will spend next season on loan at Fulham... https://t.co/4vVtfbFL4C
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 27, 2017
One has to wonder why the 24-year-old, who made his last competitive appearance for Chelsea in early 2014, even now remains on the club’s books. The most likely reason is that the club are looking to at least recoup their initial investment on the player in 2010 (£5.2 million). Kalas has spent two and a half seasons in the Championship now; he was a regular for Middlesbrough during their promotion-winning campaign in 2015 and last season, was first-choice center-back for an impressive Fulham side who made the promotion play-offs and will be one of the many teams looking to seal a return to the Premier League this season.
Fulham’s Vice Chairman and Director of Football, Tony Khan, echoed the sentiment of delight around Craven Cottage regarding Kalas’ return.
"We appreciate Tomas so much after the way that he battled for us last season, demonstrating not only tremendous skill but also great heart and determination. We're very excited to have him here again as one of us as we prepare for our next battle, and what we hope will be a great season! COYW!"
- Tony Khan; source: Fulham FC
Interest in the defender has been high, no doubt, with many Championship clubs vying for his signature but with only one year remaining on his (previous) contract, it would’ve been unlikely that any of them were willing to match Chelsea’s valuation of the player. His value could increase with another strong season in the Championship and all the more so, if he manages to help the Cottagers get promoted. Kalas went on Chelsea’s pre-season tour to Beijing and Singapore, albeit most likely to make up the numbers, but did in fact get on the pitch for the final few minutes of Chelsea’s second pre-season friendly, against Arsenal for what is probably going to be the last time we see him in a Chelsea shirt.
Good luck Tomáš, we’ll always have that game against Liverpool.