Chelsea winter evaluation: What the Blues need in the summer
By Travis Tyler
Total luxuries
After buying a truly starting caliber left back, a second one would be a luxury signing. Whoever opts to stay or happens to stay between Emerson and Alonso would be a fine deputy but there is no guarantee that they would be willing to perform that role (again).
Ian Maatsen could prove the spoiler if both opt to leave. Chelsea can either trust him to deputize a new starting left back or they will dip into the market for a stand in until Maatsen (or someone else) is ready.
The center back corps is pretty solid but not one of the four stands out as truly world class. If any of them get itchy feet or a great center back is available, it would be hard to pass up. One or more of the four would end up on the losing end of that and it really is not a high enough priority to force the issue.
Perhaps even less of a priority would be a new center mid. Right now, Chelsea has a great blend of several different types of midfielders but no real back up for any of them. Furthermore, there is not a heavy assist getting or goal scoring midfielder in the team.
The question is who would make way. N’Golo Kante’s nonstop dynamism? Jorginho’s control of the center? Mateo Kovacic’s ability to string the team together? It would need to be a truly world class signing that would guarantee assist like Cesc Fabregas did or goals like Frank Lampard himself once did.
Next. Chelsea's eight days after the break will frame a season's worth of decisions. dark
Who does Chelsea need next season? Who would be nice to have? Who is only a luxury? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!