This summer transfer window has been pedal to the metal from the get-go. Honestly, it became exciting even before it opened as Manchester City won the race to sign Dortmund wunderkind Erling Haaland in one of football’s most anticipated transfer sagas of recent times. On top of that came the rollercoaster ride that was Kylian Mbappe’s contract situation. For months, it looked like the French sensation would sign for Real Madrid as a free agent as his Paris Saint-Germain contract was set to expire by the end of June. But in a spectacular turn of events, the France international decided to extend his contract with PSG. This made Mbappe the most expensive player on the planet in terms of wages, and the most powerful player in world football as he is now expected to have a meaningful say in the Parisian’s wider decision making.
If there had to be a team that is viewed as currently winning the transfer window with signings, it is Tottenham Hotspur. The north London club secured a top four spot in the Premier League a few weeks ago. It has since gone onto strengthening Antonio Conte’s side after completing the signings of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, and Yves Bissouma. Liverpool too has recently completed the signing of Darwin Nunez from Benfica for £85 million and the Reds will be selling Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich very soon.
With all this happening in the first few days of the transfer window, teams like Manchester United and Chelsea seem to be left behind by their Premier League competitors. But with the recent takeover of Chelsea Football Club, a lot of work is happening behind the scenes. The club—just like before—is working in silence on transfers. A few confirmed deals have already happened in this past week in terms of outgoings and incoming players are also being worked on. Thus, here’s the first installment of this weekly Blues transfer window round-up:
1. Outgoings
Chelsea has already—within the first 10 days of the transfer window—confirmed the departure of eight players from the club as their contracts will expire at the end of this month. From the under-23 side, the club confirmed the departures of goalkeeper Karlo Ziger, attacking midfielder Theirno Ballo and central midfielder George McEachran on contract expiry. None of the three have had a very productive season and they have not put on performances that amazed people at the club. Another player to depart from the U23s is goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom, who leaves on loan to recently relegated side Peterborough United in League One. The Finnish U21 international is very highly rated by everyone at Cobham, and this will be his first taste of senior-level football. The arrival of talented former Southampton U18 goalkeeper Eddie Beach is imminent. Thus, it makes perfect sense to loan out Bergstrom as the Blues bring in a new youth shot-stopper.
When it comes to departures from the first team, the club has confirmed that Andreas Christensen, Jake Clarke-Salter, Danny Drinkwater, Charly Musonda and Antonio Rudiger will all leave west London as their contracts expire too.
It goes without saying that the biggest loss from this list of players will be that of Rudiger, who has already been announced as a new Real Madrid signing. Despite the club matching the wage demands of the German before sanctions, Rudiger still didn’t accept the new contract offered by the club in time and he instead decided the join the Spanish giants as he couldn’t delay a decision any longer. Rudiger’s big personality and solid defensive skills will be missed.
Unfortunately, on the other hand, the way Christensen is leaving the club has certainly damaged his legacy in SW6. Christensen’s professionalism has come into question many times and the last string was when he withdrew from the starting XI ahead of the FA Cup final. The club was confident of securing the Danish defender to a new contract, but Christensen kept changing his demands, confirming the fact that he didn’t respect the club enough before sanctions. He is expected to join Barcelona when the Blaugrana can finally register players.
Clarke-Salter has decided to join QPR after a productive loan spell with Coventry City last season. As for Drinkwater and Musonda, it is not confirmed which club they will join in the coming months. However, multiple clubs are interested in their signatures.
2. Romelu Lukaku situation
Toward the end of last year’s transfer window, the Romelu Lukaku return saga began. The Belgian’s highly anticipated Stamford Bridge comeback was enough to excite fans and pundits alike. By the time all parties had signed off on the move, many had Chelsea as a serious challenger to both Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title. Unfortunately, this was far from the reality that unfolded.
Lukaku got off to a great start to life with the Blues, scoring and dominating defenders for fun in his second debut. Sadly, soon came the dreaded, infamous interview that Lukaku did with Sky Italia without the permission of the club, where he said that he was not happy with the situation at the club. He proceeded to question Thomas Tuchel’s system and talked up the prospect of returning to Inter Milan while he is still playing at a “good enough level.” Suffice it to say, this did not go down well with either the club or the fans. This was the start of the downfall as Tuchel then started preferring Kai Havertz over Lukaku. He seemingly only used the Belgian international from the bench for the remainder of the year.
After the season ended, reports came out that Lukaku has been sending messages to the Inter Milan directors and board members since December saying that he wants to return and that he would do everything to convince Chelsea to sell him. The Blues have now made the sale of Lukaku their top priority this summer.
All types of deals have been discussed between the two parties. Chelsea even requested to include players like Alessandro Bastoni, Denzel Dumfries, Lautaro Martinez and Milan Skriniar, but they saw their requests rejected. Now, the final demands from Chelsea to Inter Milan are a €10 million loan fee plus add-ons for the one-season move. It is still not abundantly clear whether the Blues will be paying any of Lukaku’s wages or whether the deals include an obligation to buy option, but reports have stated that Todd Boehly wants the entirety of the striker’s wages covered. The only thing left for Inter to do in this move is get the green light from club president Steven Zhang. After completing this deal, Chelsea will start working on other deals. Therefore, expect this move to be confirmed or even completed within a week.
Good riddance, if you ask me.
3. Defensive targets
Chelsea came very close last summer to completing the signing of French CB Jules Kounde, only for Sevilla to increase its asking price at the last moment and see the deal fall through. Even now, the Blues remain interested in signing the versatile defender and after the departure of first team mainstays like Christensen and Rudiger, this signing has become a priority for the club.
It is said that personal terms have already been agreed with Kounde’s camp and only a transfer fee is left to be agreed with Sevilla. Last year, the Spanish side was asking for the release clause to be paid in full, which sits at €80 million, but now it is said that a deal could be agreed if Chelsea would pay around €60 million. Apart from Kounde, the Blues are looking at a whole host of defenders like Nathan Ake, Gleison Bremer, Matthijs de Ligt, Jose Gimenez and Josko Gvardiol.
It’s important to keep in mind that the only recognized centerbacks left in the squad are Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva. Silva is 37 now, and he is not getting any younger. The Brazilian cannot be a regular starter in a top team if the club is playing two or more games in a week. Sarr got numerous chances last season to showcase his ability, but it has to be said that he is not of the quality that Chelsea requires at this moment in time. That leaves the Blues with only Chalobah to rely on right now. Even after signing Kounde, Chelsea will have to sign at least one more centerback.
One player that could play for the club next season if he impresses Tuchel in preseason is Levi Colwill. The England U21 international impressed at Huddersfield Town last season during his first loan spell as he nearly helped lift the Terriers to promotion to the Premier League. He only fell short in the playoff final. There is a lot of talk of Tuchel changing to a back four, but even with all of those whispers, expect the club to sign at least two centerbacks this summer.
4. Attacking targets
When it comes to attacking players, Chelsea has a plethora of attacking talent. Unfortunately, none of these talented individuals have been in form too often and they have been either too inconsistent or injury prone during their time with the club. Players like Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have been huge let downs since making their respective moves to west London over the last few seasons.
Werner has struggled to adapt to the Premier League, which has resulted in his confidence nosediving, which is now evident in his gameplay. Ziyech simply doesn’t suit the system Tuchel prefers to play in. When the team plays with a back three, the Moroccan is deployed sometimes as a right wingback or at the right wing position. This has not suited Ziyech since former manager Frank Lampard was relieved of his duties. His attributes are obviously better suited for a team playing in a back four. Now, if the German coach is thinking of changing the formation soon, Ziyech could have a chance to play. Otherwise, expect the Moroccan to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Pulisic is a very exciting player to watch, but his injuries have restricted his game time. The manager sees the American as more of a super-sub, rather than a player who should start regularly. With his contract expiring in 2024, this will be the best time to sell him, but it will be difficult to find a suitor. The option of a contract extension is not even on the table right now.
Lukaku’s departure is now almost certain to happen, so the Blues have been looking at two attacking players very closely. One is Ousmane Dembele, who is out of contract by the end of this month. The Frenchman is looking very less likely to extend his contract at Barcelona, but one thing which is troubling to Chelsea is the injury-prone nature of Dembele. The last thing the Blues need is another injury-prone attacking star. This does not mean that Chelsea is not interested in signing the player, and the club looks the front runner for Dembele’s signature. Another player the Blues seem very much interested in signing is Raheem Sterling from Man City. Possessing the ability to play anywhere along the front line, Tuchel likes Sterling and with only a year left on his contract, this could be a great acquisition for the club. The Citizens are demanding around €55 to 60 million, but a figure of around €45 million could be enough to secure his signature.
What signings do you want to see the Blues make in the coming weeks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!