Tiemoue Bakayoko injury will ripple through Chelsea’s transfer, loan plans

After a seemingly endless series of medical exams, Chelsea may finally be ready to sign Tiemoue Bakayoko with a clear understanding of his knee injury. Until he is ready to start for the Blues, though, Antonio Conte may need to keep around players who would rather be elsewhere.

Chelsea keep finding new ways to delay their transfer activity. They prolonged negotiations over Romelu Lukaku long enough for Manchester United to orchestrate their poach. Now they are subjecting Tiemoue Bakayoko to an array of medical tests to determine the extent and implcations of his knee injury.

The latest reports hold that Bakayoko may not be ready to play for Chelsea until September. This means that Antonio Conte will need to open the season with his backup plan in place.

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As a result, he may need to hold on Nemanja Matic until the September 1 deadline, or even until the winter transfer window. Matic is keen to move away, and Manchester United remain the likeliest destination given that Tottenham are not willing to sell Eric Dier to a rival. Juventus also remain in the mix. Antonio Conte’s relationship with Juventus may allow him to arrange the timing of the Matic deal on terms favourable to Chelsea.

Conte could also elect to keep Nathaniel Chalobah in the squad for the opening weeks. The transfer rumours around Chalobah have increased substationally in the last two weeks. Watford – one of Chalobah’s six loan clubs – are interested in a permanent transfer. Chalobah himself may be open to that possibility as he looks for consistent playing time as a starter at a key point in his career and World Cup year.

Antonio Conte will already have a weakened front line due to Eden Hazard’s ankle injury. He cannot afford to have his midfield similarly lacking.

Chelsea have a compromised bargaining position in the transfer market after a series of self-inflicted wounds. Rival clubs can turn up the heat on Chelsea by making aggressive offers for Nemanja Matic or Nathaniel Chalobah. Chelsea may need to keep one of them, but at what cost in transfer fees and player morale.

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Chelsea have been more aggressive in loaning rather than reinforcing their squad. Hopefully they will not move any more midfielders out of the club until they secure Tiemoue Bakayoko, and have a solid plan in place to cover for him until he is ready to take the pitch as a Blue.