What Chelsea needs when the transfer window opens
By Travis Tyler
The English transfer window opens on May 17 this year, before the FA Cup final is even played. Chelsea need to strengthen in several areas.
The transfer window will open just a few days before the Premier League season ends and a few before the FA Cup final occurs. That is because of the World Cup and the Football Association’s decision to stop transfers after the season has kicked off. To keep the same length of a window, it has been moved to step on the previous season.
It is no secret that A: Chelsea need reinforcements and B: they are by no means ready to do so. The managerial situation is very much up in the air and there is still no technical director to create a long term plan. Just the board penny pinching.
That is not to say that Chelsea cannot get good players, but it is unlikely. It is also really hard to determine exact targets without knowing who the manager will be or who will be the person tracking them down. But Chelsea do need to get three types of players.
Priority one should be a goal scoring midfielder. Not someone good at passing or good defensively. But a genuine goal scoring threat from the center. Chelsea have sorely missed that this season with the forwards having to take the entirety of the burden.
The midfielder should be able to score at least 10-15 league goals a season. That would put them near the top of goalscorers this season for Chelsea. Players like that are few and far between but Chelsea must make a effort to find one or produce one.
Priority two should be a world class right flank player. The issue is, without knowing who the manager will be, it is hard to determine what type of right flank player.
If Antonio Conte is staying, or another manager prone to wingbacks is arriving, the right flank player needs to be a wingback. Victor Moses can do well at times but his game is just to erractic to justify keeping him as a starter. Davide Zappacosta’s best game was his first and he has failed to live up to expectations. He was a panic buy and it does not seem like it will work out.
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If another manager comes in who prefers four at the back, then the right flank player must be a winger. Cesar Azpilicueta will become a right back once more so that takes up that spot. But he will need the help of a winger, as will Eden Hazard. Hazard needs someone to match his talent, especially if they are doing more of the work up top. Chelsea can go young or old for the role, or even dip into their own loan army or academy, but the player must be found to produce on that side.
Finally, the last thing on Chelsea’s list will be replacements for departing players. On paper, Chelsea have the numbers needed to succeed on all fronts. But once the starting XI is passed, the quality is simply not good enough. Even still, Chelsea should take care of the goal scoring midfielder and the right sided player before letting anyone depart.
And unlike last summer, they must buy a quality target before they allow anyone to leave. A star cannot depart and be replaced with a player with potential. The switch must be like for like and already set up before the player goes. Again, Chelsea can use players from the loan army or the academy to fill these gaps if they player is actually good enough.
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With a goal scoring mid, a right sided star, and good replacements for departing players, Chelsea can get about the business of rebuilding. A strong challenge in the league and winning the Europa League should be minimum goals to help stop the downward spiral. With the right players, Chelsea can make it happen.