Chelsea’s ideal team after 10 transfers, 3 new contracts, and £206 million in departures
Finally, Chelsea’s ownership saga is coming to an end, with Todd Boehly’s group nearing completion of the takeover.
On Wednesday morning, the UK government revealed that a licence had been given to allow the transaction to proceed.
The Blues are set to begin a new chapter in their 117-year history.
Boehly will back Thomas Tuchel in the summer transfer window as the German coach attempts to cut the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool.
To accomplish so, the Chelsea squad will need to undergo extensive surgery in the coming months.
Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger will leave on free transfers, forcing the Blues to hunt elsewhere to replace the two first-team defenders.
The group we see next season could be very different from the one that stumbled to a third-place finish in the 2021/22 season. With that in mind, Sports Dias examines Tuchel’s alternatives for the coming season.
Goalkeepers
Edouard Mendy is expected to remain the starting goalkeeper. The Senegal international was arguably vulnerable in the second half of the season, but he is without a doubt the Blues’ strongest option in that position.
Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard is no longer regarded as the club’s first-choice shot-stopper and has been extensively linked with a move abroad. Marcus Bettinelli might remain as the third-choice.
Defenders
Chelsea is in an intriguing position, one that must be addressed in the coming weeks. As already stated, Rudiger and Christensen will be leaving, thus they must be replaced in some fashion.
The Blues continue to be interested in Jules Kounde, and the west Londoners remain heavy favourites to sign the Frenchman this summer.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will attempt to bring in another defender.
Chelsea has been tracking the likes of Josko Gvardiol and Gleison Bremer during the last season. On the other hand, if Levi Colwill is returned from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town, the Blues may be inclined to give him an opportunity.
To the position of wing-back… Both the right and left wing-back positions could be addressed this summer.
If Cesar Azpilicueta leaves, Chelsea may have to probe the market for a successor. Similarly, Marcos Alonso has been linked with a move abroad, with Barcelona reportedly interested in the Spaniard’s talents.
Midfielders
Another intriguing story for Chelsea. Both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho have just over a year left on their present contracts at Stamford Bridge, and their futures are now uncertain.
Kante’s contract appears to be the one Chelsea is most interested in resolving right now, but that might all change.
Ross Barkley appears set to quit the club as he approaches the end of his contract at Stamford Bridge. The Blues would not stand in the way of the midfielder leaving after he played so little in the 2021/22 season.
Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour might be recalled from loan spells at Crystal Palace and Norwich City, respectively, to provide Chelsea with reinforcements.
Gallagher, in particular, appears to be set for an opportunity to shine under Tuchel next season.
On the transfer front, the Blues have been heavily associated with Monaco player Aurelien Tchouameni, who they have a long-term interest in, but the Monaco midfielder appears to be heading to Real Madrid in the near future.
Declan Rice is a target, but the general consensus is that the England international will be too expensive, with West Ham United seeking more than £100 million for the former Chelsea youth star.
Forwards
Another position fraught with uncertainties.
This summer, Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, and Romelu Lukaku have all been linked with moves away from the club.
Kai Havertz and Mason Mount are the only players you can be certain will return to Chelsea next season. It may not make sense to sell all of the aforementioned attacking players, but some of Tuchel’s present alternatives may leave.
Armando Broja had a successful loan season at Southampton in 2021-22 and could return to Chelsea this summer.
It remains to be seen whether the Albanian will be sold, with several clubs interested in landing the excellent center-forward.
Chelsea has been connected with a number of new attacking players. Robert Lewandowski appears to be on his way out of Bayern Munich, and his name has been discussed.
According to football.london, the Blues are interested in Ivan Perisic and Christopher Nkunku. Other candidates have been mentioned, including Neymar, who may be leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
Exits
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea are willing to trade players such as Marcos Alonso, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Ross Barkley, and Kenedy if the appropriate offers come in.
According to CIES Football Observatory, the combined value of these players is £206 million.
New deals
Chelsea may attempt to re-sign Kante in the coming weeks, with the Frenchman remaining an important part of Tuchel’s ambitions at Stamford Bridge. Mount and Reece James are also expected to be re-signed.
Perfect squad?
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli
Defenders: Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jules Kounde, Josko Gvardiol, Levi Colwill, Malang Sarr, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Ibrahim Sangare, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour
Forwards: Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku, Ousmane Dembele, Kai Havertz, Romelu Lukaku, Callum Hudson-Odoi
The changes
Ziyech, Barkley, Rudiger, Christensen, and Alonso have all left the club from our ‘perfect squad.’ Jules Kounde, Josko Gvardiol, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahim Sangare, Christopher Nkunku, and Ousmane Dembele are all direct replacements.
Chelsea’s apparent choice is Kounde. In recent seasons, the Sevilla defender has established himself as one of Europe’s most promising developing centre defenders.
Gvardiol is a promising center-back who has the potential to be a starter in the Premier League in the future.
Cucurella has also been linked with a move from Brighton, where he has demonstrated his ability to play as a wing-back.
If Barkley leaves, Sangare is a viable alternative to replace him in midfield. Sangare’s play style is nothing like Barkley’s, but he might provide the Blues with some much-needed steadiness between the midfield and defence.
Dembele is due to become a free agent in attack. The Frenchman is extremely talented and has already worked with Tuchel. The important priority, however, is to keep him fit.
Meanwhile, Nkunku, who was recently named Bundesliga Player of the Season, is one of Europe’s most promising attacking players right now.
The RB Leipzig star is not cheap, but he has demonstrated his enormous skill in front of goal as well as the versatility to play in any of the three attacking positions Tuchel has in his system during his time in Germany.
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Chelsea’s ideal team after 10 transfers, 3 new contracts, and £206 million in departures
Chelsea’s ideal team after 10 transfers, 3 new contracts, and £206 million in departures
Chelsea’s ideal team after 10 transfers, 3 new contracts, and £206 million in departures
