U20 World Cup star adds to Chelsea loan contingent at Hull City

Versatile defender and recently-crowned U20 World Champion, Fikayo Tomori has become the third player from Chelsea to join Hull City on a season-long loan.

Tomori, who was named Chelsea Academy Player of the Year for the 2015/16 season, underwent his first loan spell in the latter half of last season with Brighton and Hove Albion. It was never going to be easy for Tomori at a Brighton side challenging for promotion but he did see a few opportunities come his way due to injuries in the Albion back-line. This resulted in him playing all across the back four, and despite one unfortunate own goal on his full debut against Lincoln City in the FA Cup, he largely impressed during his later showings with the Seagulls.

Tomori’s Canadian roots saw him play for their youth teams early on but after making the switch to England, went on to form a strong defensive partnership with Chelsea teammate Jake Clarke-Salter at the international level as well; the two were instrumental in the England Under-20 side’s recent World Cup win and attracted ample interest from clubs this summer but Chelsea’s abysmal squad depth situation led to the club seeing it fit to keep both around until reinforcements were signed. Now, with the signing of Davide Zappacosta from Torino, Tomori has finally joined Hull City after reportedly having an agreement in place for close to a month.

Hull City have played all but one of their games with a 4-2-3-1, although 3-4-3 is also a possibility after they switched to that shape for their match versus Bolton, despite being forced to do so due to injuries. Tomori would have to displace Michael Dawson to start at center-back, as Michael Hector is undoubtedly the best defender at the club currently and while it’s a possibility, it simply wouldn’t make sense if he were in direct contention with fellow Chelsea loanee Ola Aina for a starting place at right-back. Aina shifting to left-back instead with Tomori on the right is seemingly out of the question as well, in the light of Hull’s recent acquisition of former Swansea left-back Stephen Kingsley. Tomori will, hence, mostly likely have to try and claim Michael Dawson’s place in the starting XI. Hopefully he does just that and has a strong season on loan.

Good luck, Fikayo!