Chelsea transfers: 5 realistic targets the Blues should pursue

2. Renato Sanches – Rupert Meadows

Since Carlo Ancelotti’s comments about Renato Sanches’s future at Bayern being uncertain, the player himself said that he would like to leave due to a lack of game time. He proved against Chelsea on Saturday that he has serious quality in the midfield. He is not only a strong physical presence, but also has very good passing ability and can beat a man.

Conte, famously a ‘chameleon tactics’ manager, will be desperate to have the players to be able to play several formations. Last season they used a 3-4-3 exclusively on the way to their title and, while it still has great merit, teams were beginning to work it out by the end of the season.

The option of switching to a three-man midfield, be it 3-5-2 or 4-3-3, would be extremely beneficial. Against Bayern, Chelsea were reminded yet again that Cesc Fabreagas just can’t cut it in a flat midfield two. Since Conte has supposedly promised Fabregas more game time, that must mean he plans to change up the formations for next year.

After the departure of Chalobah and with Matic soon to go, Chelsea currently have no defensive backups to Kante and Bakayoko. Sanches brings the defensive stability Conte craves and offers a bit more creativity than Chelsea’s current defensive midfield options.

Sanches may favour a move to a club where he is guaranteed a starting berth, but his head could be turned if Chelsea come asking. There have been no rumours linking Sanches to the Blues as of yet, but he is the type of player Chelsea need to complete their squad. He also probably wouldn’t prove TOO expensive, as Bayern have publicly deemed him surplus to requirements.