The summer transfer window—a time of true calamity. Agents leaking misinformation to influence negotiations, journalists scrutinizing every rumor and making predictions about their meaning and fans throwing themselves in an emotional frenzy with every reported hit, miss and bid. Sure, it is maddening, but it is also one of sports’ most incredibly thrilling spectacles. For the reasons listed above, it is hard not to sense the electricity surrounding Chelsea Football Club right now. As Todd Boehly takes the reins in a post-Roman Abramovich era, supporters are all watching closely to see how the American owner will navigate the complexities of the international football market during his debut transfer window.
The summer started off slow as Boehly settled into life at Stamford Bridge, but over the last few weeks, the club has finalized the acquisitions of both Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly. Meanwhile, the club has also been in advanced talks for Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina and Sevilla centerback Jules Kounde after missing out on Cobham graduate and Manchester City defender Nathan Ake. Boehly has quickly dismantled negative fan sentiment (yes, we saw those #Brokely hashtags) and seems to have made backing Thomas Tuchel his No. 1 priority. Suffice it to say, this is music to fans’ ears.
That point—backing Tuchel—begs the question: what’s next? It’s a little less than three weeks before the Blues begin their season and there are still massive holes to fill within the squad. The team needs a creative winger, a defensive midfielder and potentially two additional defenders identified, so Boehly and Co. will undoubtedly be busy as they complete what can only be seen as a competitive rebuild during their first summer in charge of the club.
It’s time to take a look at some of the key names that might interest Chelsea as the Blues seek to spend their remaining budget and build a competitive squad: