As the transfer window deadline approaches, let’s take a look at Chelsea’s current options and figure out where they should be looking for reinforcements.
This summer’s transfer window feels as though it’s been open for a very long time. A constant regurgitation of the same old rumours has been tedious to say the least. With the window sliding slowly back into place, from Friday, the talk can return to the action on the field of play.
Chelsea will make signings, though – they have no choice. The question is where will Marina Granovskaia and Michael Emenalo spend the club’s money? The sanctioning of any such deal or deals is in the hands of Roman Abramovich, who must act to pacify the demands of Antonio Conte and those on the terraces.
Just about any player who has shown any interest in a move away from their current club has become a media target. Chelsea’s official website shows the current first team squad. There are just 22 players on their list.
Goalkeepers – Courtois, Eduardo, Caballero
Defenders – Alonso, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Christensen, Luiz, Rudiger, Moses
Midfielders – Kante, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Hazard, Kenedy, Musonda, Pedro, Willian, Boga
Forwards – Batshuayi, Costa, Morata
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Once the window has closed, Premier League teams have 24 hours to name a 25-man squad which cannot be changed until the completion of the January transfer window.
The squads are split in three ways. The majority being non-homegrown players. There can be 17 players in this category. If you discount Diego Costa, Chelsea have 14 non-homegrown players.
The remaining 8 squad players must be classed as homegrown.
The Premier League describes a homegrown player thus:
"An HGP means a player who, irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21)."
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Chelsea currently have just 3 players in their squad deemed to be homegrown, Gary Cahill, Cesc Fabregas and Victor Moses. This gives an indication as to why Antonio Conte is looking to the Premier League and British players as the window draws to a close.
Under Premier League rules, clubs are allowed to register and play any number of under 21 players in addition to the squad of 25.
If you remove the under 21 players from Chelsea’s current named squad (on the official website) – Kenedy, Musonda and Boga – there are 18 players. Diego Costa can be discounted and forgotten and thus subtracting the three goalkeepers leaves Chelsea with14 outfield players.
There are ancillary players, like Loic Remy, at Chelsea that Antonio Conte could draft in should the transfer team fail to bring anyone else in. But if they are currently not regarded as good enough, it must be hoped they are not required.
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As it stands Chelsea can sign three more non-homegrown players (assuming Costa isn’t named). Possibilities include Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk, who is after a move away from St. Mary’s. Renato Sanches from Bayern Munich also seems likely to be on the move having asked to be left out of this weekend’s game. A striking option could be Torino’s Andrea Belotti, who allegedly has a £100m buy out clause in his current contract.
Homegrown options are well documented. Of the five places available to Conte, the most cited are Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal, Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy from Leicester City, Ross Barkley from Everton and Tottenham’s Danny Rose.
Chelsea face a trip to Leicester City following the (ill-timed) international break. Three days later Qarabag FK visit the home of the champions as the fight for European supremacy begins and the competition for places heats up.
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By 11pm on Thursday we will have a much clearer picture of how Chelsea’s season is going to pan out. With Manchester United currently running away with the league and a return to the Champions League looming large, fresh blood must be added to Chelsea’s ranks.