Three Ligue 1 midfielders Chelsea should look to sign this summer

Now that the Euros have come to end, preseason and the transfer window are in full swing and all headlines read Erling Haaland to Chelsea. But since this has been covered so much without any real news about his potential arrival to Stamford Bridge, we should throw some names out there that Chelsea can sign to bolster their midfield.

There no better place to look for top class midfield talent than Ligue 1 with several clubs looking to sell due to the financial crisis that is currently going on in the France’s top division. Now is the time to sign them up.

It was quite apparent last season the Blues were lacking depth at the number eight role with Thomas Tuchel employing a double pivot. Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Billy Gilmour were they only people considered for this role. If one of them got injured it would cause some real problems to a squad competing on multiple fronts. Now that we head into a new season we’ve seen Billy Gilmour leave on loan to Norwich but also loan returnees come back to Cobham to prove their worth to the gaffer.

Conor Gallagher, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Ruben Loftus Cheek and Ross Barkley just to name a few have returned and the answer to the lack of depth has seemingly been answered. Well, that’s up to Thomas Tuchel and if he sees these players as a part of his squad this season. Gallagher’s future is bright but I think another loan move would do wonders, Bakayoko, Drinkwater and Barkley should be sold permanently and Loftus-Cheek should be given another chance at Chelsea this season. With that all being said several top class midfielders are up for sale this summer in France and Chelsea would be foolish not consider buying them this summer.

Houssem Aouar, 23 years old, Lyon

Houssem Aouar is the first one on the list and is currently wanted by basically every club in the Premier League. That is because he has two more years left on his contract and is going to be sold a cut price this summer with both the player and Lyon agreeing to part ways.

It’s no secret Arsenal were interested in him last summer but had 38 million euros bid rejected. Now, that price has almost been halved according to reports of him being available for only 25.

Chelsea will face deep competition for his signature with Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal all interested but if the right bid is submitted he could be on his way to West London.

As for what would Chelsea be getting if they got his signature is a goal scoring number eight who contributes a good amount of goals and assists something the blues have been lacking in recent seasons. He has been quite injury prone over the past two seasons but that shouldn’t be a turn off for a player of his quality and age that is available at such a low price.