Chelsea: Can the Blues excel after a transferless window?

The question of whether Chelsea could skip the summer transfer window altogether and still thrive is one worth taking a look at for Chelsea Nation. As outrageous or repugnant as it may seem, there may be an argument that should Chelsea do absolutely nothing in the realm of player acquisition this summer, they may be just fine. So let’s take a look at this positionally and see if that proposition is completely ridiculous or just might be a legitimate if not exciting strategy. For the sake of this argument, let’s assume manager Thomas Tuchel sticks with his 3-4-2-1 formation.

Before commencing this evaluation, let’s put this on the table, this space has advocated quite vociferously for the acquisition of Erling Haaland at any cost, e.g. 150M pounds or so. That signing alone would make this summer window a super success. There are other transfers that could also improve the squad, but let’s just say that none of these opportunities or possibilities emerges. If not, what does the side look like in 2021/22, and could they challenge for the Premier League title and other silverware?

Let’s look at the positions. First, at the keeper, the top guy is clear with Edouard Mendy. Backing him up at present is only Kepa Arrizabalaga and no one else. While Arrizabalaga may be a decent backup he’s not up to snuff if he has to step up and step in as the starter. Since Mendy could be injured and will also go to the African Cup of Nations, this is a tough issue to face in this potential strategy. If there are no transfers to bolster this spot, then Chelsea will have to go to the Academy and bring up a third keeper to take the Willy Caballero spot. All-in-all, it’s not a great situation.

In the central defense, things look better but there are also issues. Three key defenders are in the last year of their contracts. Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, and Antonio Rudiger are short-timers at present. If they are not signed to extensions, then they all should be sold. How would that impact the side? Dramatically, of course. It’s not going to happen. So, let’s assume for argument’s sake that all three are extended. Then along with Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma this unit is set. It’s solid through and through.

In the defensive midfield, the team is stocked with stars. With N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, and Billy Gilmour on hand (if he is not foolishly sent out on loan), they are likely as deep as any club in the world at the position. No transfers? No problem at the defensive midfield. Chelsea is set there. At attacking midfield or wingback, the side has Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and at times Mason Mount. Again, there is a wealth of talent to employ and that’s not to mention the Academy players who could be inserted into the team. These include Tino Livramento, Lewis Bate, and the already Premier League battle-tested Conor Gallagher. This is solid depth, indeed. No worries there either.

Okay, so far so good, so let’s take a look at the forwards. Available at present at striker are Timo Werner (whose position is somewhat fuzzy at the moment), Kai Havertz who can function as a false nine, and the proven strikers, Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud. In addition, Armando Broja could be a nice addition for Cup games and as a substitute. He’s a superb young talent who scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for Vitesse on loan last season and is just waiting for his opportunity. All of those are under contract to Chelsea for next season. No dearth of talent there. None at all.

So, finally, let’s take a look at the wingers. First, Werner can also play on the left as well as in the middle. Then, you have Captain America, Christian Pulisic who is avoiding injury away from a breakout season on that side. On the right, there is also no lack of top talent. You have the Moroccan Magician, Hakim Ziyech, and Callum Hudson-Odoi who can also play at wing-back, if necessary. There is plenty of talent there, as well.

So, to conclude, should the Blues decide to sell fringe players perhaps, yet not buy any additional players, they still seem to be well-situated to do just fine with the talent on hand, thank you. New signings, especially big signings such as Haaland, are always exciting and welcomed. Yet, upon further analysis, this Chelsea side as currently constituted, in adding outstanding young players from their academy may very well be able to challenge if not win any and all competitions in which it will contend. This is just an exercise and not a suggestion. But, the bottom line here is, if the Blues stand pat with what they have, it seems upon further analysis that they will be just fine.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!