Chelsea’s preseason, Erling Haaland, Declan Rice and more
On Monday, July 5, Chelsea’s preparations officially begin for the 2021/22 campaign. Head coach Thomas Tuchel will have his eyes set on a number of talents returning from their loan spells, including the likes of Ross Barkley, Tiemoue Bakayoko and others. There are still a plethora of Blues away on international duty—either at the European Championships or at Copa America—so these loanees will have their opportunity to impress early on.
For the first couple of weeks of preseason, Tuchel will have his eyes set on the academy players, as well as those returning from loan spells. The gaffer should have the majority of first team players back by the end of next week, as well. Not to mention a couple of summer signings before the season kicks off. Chelsea has been linked with a number of superstar talents, like Erling Haaland and Declan Rice, who have made their names heard more than once over the last few weeks.
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Taking a look at Chelsea’s preseason camp and targets.
During the month of July, a lot of high profile transfers tend to take place and in this summer window, it’ll be no different. A few Chelsea supporters have voiced their concern about the transfer activity after seeing rivals Manchester United secure the signing of Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho. However, calmness and most importantly, patience, need to be displayed by Blues supporters. Nevertheless, questions should be asked about the reported Chelsea targets. Is Declan Rice really a transfer the Blues should make? Tuchel’s go-to formation is 3-4-3 with wingbacks. He already has Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante who can play in the midfield pivot, so why Rice? This is questioned further considering we also saw Mason Mount playing in a deeper role a number of times. It seems like the Blues have proper depth in the middle of the park, but Tuchel knows best.
On the other hand, a marquee signing like Erling Haaland would put Chelsea right up there for a Premier League title hunt this coming season. The Norwegian centre forward scored a total of 27 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches across last campaign. His signing and subsequent leading the line for the Blues could send a serious statement of intent from the current European Champions.
Tuchel is expected to have a part in the summer acquisitions and will be backed by the Chelsea hierarchy. This has not always been the case with former managers having a part to play in player signings. For example, look at what happened after the Blues won the league in 2017 with Antonio Conte. The following summer, the club didn’t fully back the Italian, which led to friction and Conte’s eventual sacking. The signs are clearer this time around that what happened in 2017 can not take place this time around.
Chelsea will travel to Dublin, Ireland in mid-July to play a couple of friendly matches against local clubs. After which, the Blues will play in a preseason tournament, The Mind Series, against fellow London clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, at the start of August. The European Champions will thereafter play in the UEFA Super Cup against Europa League winner Villareal at Windsor Park in Belfast days before the Premier League season kicks off on August 14.
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What would your one key summer signing be? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!