I'm looking for a Chelsea backbone

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel said he wants more club academy players to join the first team, after some young players helped advance the team into the FA Cup.

Billy Gilmour, Reese James and Tammy Abraham contributed to the last goal against Barnsley, while Callum Hudson-Odoi was also one of the brightest in Thursday's 1-0 victory, to set the London club on a home date with Sheffield United in the quarter-finals of the Cup.

The reliance on the academy players marks a transformation for Chelsea, who have signed on with outstanding talent year after year, but Tuchel said the youth teams were the "backbone" of the club.

The German coach added to reporters, before hosting Newcastle United next Monday in the league, "The door of my office is always open for coaches and academy officials."

"I prefer seeing their training and matches in other stadiums, which is unfortunately not allowed now because we are in an isolated environment, so it is more difficult than before," he added.

And he added, "I think that the academy is the backbone of any club. The more young players join the first team, the better for the club."

Chelsea spent more than 200 million pounds ($ 276.86 million) on new signings before the start of the season, and Kai Havertz, 21, made the biggest deal, costing the club about 71 million.

The German midfielder has failed to live up to expectations so far, but Tuchel said it was only a matter of time before he started to shine.

"What we know is that he has the potential and can show it on the field. Some players need more time to adapt," the German coach concluded.