Manchester City's ongoing Premier League case could have huge consequences for Chelsea, particularly if the club were hit with a severe sporting punishment.
City have been found guilty of breaching more than 100 Premier League regulations between 2009 and 2018. They have appealed, and any final punishment remains to be decided, but the case could still have major ramifications for the club's future, with relegation likely.
If City were forced to go down the divisions, it could trigger a huge squad rebuild, with some of the biggest names at the Etihad potentially looking for a way out. We have already discussed where Erling Haaland would go if he wants to break Premier League records, so who else?
That could present Chelsea with a rare opportunity in the transfer market. Xabi Alonso's side have already shown their willingness to spend heavily on elite young talent, and a City fire sale could put several players within reach.
With that in mind, here are four Manchester City players Chelsea should consider targeting if the worst-case scenario unfolds.
Marc Guehi
Reuniting Guehi with Lacroix will be a massive improvement in a struggling defence as the former Crystal Palace captain is a strong defender in a back three. His signing will represent £30-50million but bringing him home could make him the signing of next summer.
Will he join Chelsea? That will depend on his relationship with his academy club and the appeal of returning to London. Guehi is likely to have plenty of offers from the Premier League and abroad, with the big question being whether Chelsea can put themselves at the front of the queue.
Antoine Semenyo
The difficulty for Semenyo is where he would fit, as playing him at wing-back is unlikely to entice him to join Chelsea. However, if he became available, his arrival could prompt Alonso to rethink his system and find a way to accommodate more natural wingers.
Will he join Chelsea? An unlikely one, given he joined City and has grown into something of a hero at the Etihad. That doesn’t mean he will stay, but depending on the level of punishment, a season in the Championship could be perfectly fine for the former Bournemouth man.Liverpool are the favoured option to rejoin Andoni Iraola.
Nico O'Reily
The City academy graduate could see his loyalty tested if he wants to remain part of the England setup. He would be an excellent option at left wing-back and could represent a significant upgrade on Chelsea’s current options. A £30-50 million price tag would also be within Chelsea’s reach.
Will he join Chelsea? There is still every chance he remains at City long-term, with his decision likely to depend on the severity of any punishment. If the club faces a significant drop down the divisions, O’Reilly could be forced to consider a new challenge, with Chelsea potentially at the front of the queue.
Abdukodir Khusanov
The Uzbek can slot into the right side of the back four, adding pace and quality to Chelsea’s defence. A £40 million bid could be enough to get the deal done.
Will he join Chelsea? Out of the four, this is the most likely as he has been rumoured for some time to join Chelsea. Him and Geuhi would be a remarkable piece of business and will add quality to defence, potentially making them serious challengers for the Premier League title.
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