Report: Thomas Tuchel tells four Chelsea players they can leave Stamford Bridge, including £35m man

Thomas Tuchel has left the door wide open for Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Davide Zappacosta to exit Chelsea.

According to the Guardian, Tuchel has told the four returning loanees that they are free to depart Stamford Bridge this summer.

All had slim ambitions of breaking back into the Blues side after their respective stints away last year.

One by one, each returned to Cobham as part of a trial run in front of their new manager.

They all featured at some point during pre-season, some more frequently than others.

However, with the competitive campaign now underway, it seems highly improbable that any of the quartet will be present at Chelsea for much longer.

Bakayoko is being collared by AC Milan, the club he was shipped out on loan to in 2018.

Zappacosta has interest from Serie A as well, in the form of Atalanta and Fiorentina.

There hasn’t been much commotion regarding Drinkwater or Barkley, but it’s evident Tuchel wants them gone before the window closes.

Drinkwater played pretty well in the friendly fixtures this and last month.

However, the chances of reclaiming his Chelsea spot were always going to be slim.

Since he arrived from Leicester City in 2017 for £35m (BBC), the midfielder has played just 23 times for the Blues.

Injuries and numerous disappointing loan moves have seriously dampened what was once a very bright career.

Barkley meanwhile has reportedly drawn some attention from Newcastle United and West Ham United.

David Moyes is said to be a fan of the 27-year-old, who he developed whilst managing at Everton.

But nothing is yet to materialise for the former England international, who recently lost his no.8 Chelsea shirt to Mateo Kovacic.