Chelsea missed out on Xavi Simons this summer as he joined Tottenham Hotspur. It is very possible that it might have been a budget issue with the Blues needing to stay under financial constraints after being handed a fine by UEFA recently. The club went for a short-term solution instead, signing Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, without any option or obligation to buy.
Do not be surprised if Chelsea try to strengthen in that area of the pitch when the January transfer window opens. They certainly need some cover in that position after both Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix departed this summer.
As reported by CaughtOffside, Chelsea are set to have signing an attacking midfielder as a priority in the transfer market in the coming year. The Blues will now focus on Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers as one of their top targets for January or next summer. Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz and Lyon’s Malick Fofana are also on their radar.
It remains to be seen if the Blues end up making a serious push to sign any of them. Of course, all three would bring different things to the table.
Three players Chelsea are eyeing for January or next summer
Rogers is Premier League-proven and is the current PFA Young Player of the Year holder. That being said, his performances in recent times have not been up to the mark and if you take a look at Aston Villa social media, a large section of their fans seem very open to the idea of the Englishman leaving for a big offer.
It is believed that Chelsea have already tried to sign Yildiz. But so far, Juventus do not seem open to the idea of parting ways with him. Let's see if that changes.
Fofana was believed to be on the radar of Chelsea this summer as well. But ultimately, a move did not happen and he has stayed put at Lyon.