The summer transfer window is a battle against the clock. Changes to the transfer window and contracts running out will cause Chelsea issues.
The January transfer window offers a short amount of time to strengthen a team. Teams panic over the course of 31 days as they over pay in an attempt to save the season.
Normally, the summer window is slower and more thoughtful. Clubs are in no rush to complete deals and have plenty of time to chase targets. That will not be the case this season.
Premier League clubs have voted to end the transfer window before the season starts. It will run from June 9th to August 9th. So the window will be shorter for English clubs to find their targets and bring them into the fold.
There is also the small matter of the World Cup. The World Cup will run from June 14th to July 15th. This complicates matters because many players will decide on their moves with the World Cup in mind.
Some deals can completed beforehand. Chelsea did this in 2014 by obtaining Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas whilst selling David Luiz before the tournament started. Many players see the World Cup as a natural break point between none club and the next.
But the majority of players will wait until their tournament ends to make any moves. Some know that a good World Cup can lead to a big move as it did for James Rodriguez to Real Madrid in 2014. Others simply do not want the distraction while they are there.
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So if a player waits until their cup is over, then Chelsea could have as little as 25 days to start and finish a deal. In addition, many players vacation long after their tournament ends. That could leave an incredibly short time span to bring a player in and accumulate to the squad and system.
To add salt to the wound, many contracts are running out. When the 2018/2019 season starts, both Willy Caballero and Eduardo could be out of contract. In addition, six first team players could have less than a year left on their contract.
Most of the players with a year left are over 30 and will have little resale value. So Chelsea needs to decide who is worth an extension, who is sellable, and where the replacements are coming from.
Of the older players, Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas are likely to get another year. Both have years of Premier League experience and neither have a style that is going to be greatly affected by age.
David Luiz and Pedro are trickier. The two are only just 30 and could potentially have suitors in the summer. Luiz and Conte are reported to have issues and if Conte stays Luiz is likely to be sold. Luiz and Pedro have fallen down the depth chart this season and will only fall further next season if new signings come in.
And Thibaut Courtois’ contract is priority one for the club. Finding a keeper of his caliber is going to be difficult and the price will be immense. But with only a year left, Chelsea will have to debate whether they can get him to extend or sell while they still can.
Chelsea will need to comb the market for replacements once they decide who leaves. They will need to find talent and leadership to replace what is lost. Chelsea must be careful to find the right balance between extending and letting go.
The calendar is not going to be Chelsea’s friend this summer. A clear plan is needed. But with leadership issues and a ticking clock, Chelsea could be in trouble if they do not start preparing now.
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