Chelsea fans should be excited but more can be done yet
Upgrade the backline
While Havertz will likely be a versatile attacking midfielder, the midfield, except for slotting the versatile Mason Mount on the left, will likely be relatively stable. Absent some surprising sales, e.g. N’Golo Kante, most of last season’s midfielders are probable returnees. One who may be moved to add resources to finance other players is Jorginho who doesn’t really have a position in head coach Frank Lampard’s system. He is a distinct possibility to be sold in this window. But those potential moves notwithstanding, the midfield will likely not change dramatically while the back line has and will. And all for the better.
First, the club has dramatically upgraded the left back position by bringing in England’s first-team player, Ben Chilwell. There is little doubt that Chilwell with his blistering pace will be a major upgrade over last year’s holders of the spot, Marcos Alonso and Emerson. Emerson will likely be sold shortly while Alonso has a role to play in the 3-4-3 as a top wing back who can utilize his shooting and set-piece abilities when called upon. Next, Chelsea conducted a brilliant piece of business by bringing in the terrific champion central defender, Thiago Silva on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
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Silva is approaching his 36th birthday but that thankfully wasn’t a deterrent to Chelsea’s moving immediately for the player after his last game, the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Silva’s talent, experience, and all-around excellence can’t help but upgrade the central defense. In addition, rumors won’t subside that somehow Chelsea will find a way to bring in another versatile star in the making, Declan Rice.
Rice is seen by Lampard as a central defender and he also can very effectively deputize as a defensive midfielder. With a lately oft-injured Kante, that’s an invaluable asset to the team and he’s worth a sizable investment. Add Reece James to that backline as a starter and you have a tremendously talented back line and fullbacks who will help drive the attack from Chelsea’s own end.