Chelsea: Everything that needs doing before the window closes

The Premier League is going into its first international break of the season (which will always be silly three games in, global pandemic to deal with aside for now). Before that, however, will be the close of one of the most blockbuster transfer windows in recent memory. Chelsea has brought in Romelu Lukaku and done a lot of outgoing business, but there is still much to be done before the window slams shut. What are the Blues’ priorities the next few days?

1. Wrap up the final incomings, fast

The most obvious incoming seems to be Jules Kounde from Sevilla. The young centerback has earned rave reviews in La Liga and has already repositioned himself in Paris the past few days to speed up the process. Though Chelsea doesn’t need a centerback at the moment, they likely will next year and Kounde will help to solve that issue before it comes to a head.

The main issue with his signing is the price. He does have a release clause (like all La Liga players), but Chelsea is smartly trying to sign him for a sum below that. The exact number is what is causing Sevilla to stall, though Kounde’s trip to Paris before Sevilla finished out their matches is sure to speed things up. There could be a twist in the saga yet, but it seems a matter of when at this point.

Kounde’s signing has been wrapped up in other deals, primarily Lukaku’s incoming and Kurt Zouma’s outgoing. And, in the same fashion, the hunt for a fourth midfielder is tied into Kounde’s joining. Saul Niguez was tipped to join on loan, but that deal has gone cold almost as quickly as it got hot.

There is plenty of debate over whether Chelsea needs another centermid given Thomas Tuchel’s trust in N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, and Mateo Kovacic, as well as Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher on loan. Push comes to shove, many would be satisfied with Trevoh Chalobah or others filling in. If Tuchel is willing to give fair minutes to whoever is fourth choice, then that’s fine. Otherwise, signing someone that will get those fair minutes seems to be the smartest play.

Signing Kounde quickly will allow the club to devote all eyes to that fourth centermid spot before the window closes. If not Niguez, the club has just enough time to find someone else. There surely isn’t time to tempt Declan Rice away bar something truly outrageous happening. Aurelien Tchouameni is the fans’ choice, especially after Monaco crashed out of the Champions League, but he has yet to be rumored in any real way. Though, then again, neither was Niguez for many months.

Absolute worst case scenario, Chelsea only signs Lukaku and the Blues still have a very strong and deep squad. Some players may have to pick up minutes out of position, but the main piece of business has been done for some time yet. Anything else is gravy.