Upon Chelsea’s return from the international break, the 2022–23 campaign will be entering its last stretch.
While the Blues will be vying for Champions League success and some Premier League atonement, attention will soon shift to the summer.
The size of Chelsea’s first team roster as well as the fact that the team is still in transition in many parts of the field speed up that process.
While a makeover of the midfield has been anticipated, the overhaul of the defense was evident in the summer thanks to the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Jorginho moved for Arsenal in January, but N’Golo Kante’s contract is set to expire in the summer, and Denis Zakaria’s loan will terminate.
The Blues will soon be under pressure to make decisions on a number of players, with a slew of stars entering the final year of their contracts.
The fee paid for Enzo Fernandez demonstrated both the brilliance of the World Cup champion and the importance of revitalising the position for Graham Potter’s team.
Chelsea’s business in midfield is far from over, despite the record Premier League fee.
Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo, and Romeo Lavia are all linked with moves to Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea’s current problem may not be permanent.
Enzo Fernandez (estimated transfer value of £88.4 million by CIES Football Observatory)- Following his January arrival, the January edition has swiftly become a non-negotiable in Chelsea’s midfield and a candidate for the Blues’ greatest player.
The 22-year-old has demonstrated the ability to break up and develop play from midfield’s base, as well as the vision to produce scything passes from advanced areas.
His versatility allows him to fit into various midfield forms, but Chelsea may be more inclined to construct around him in the future.
Mateo Kovacic (estimated transfer value by CIES Football Observatory: £22.1 million)- The Croatian midfielder has forged a strong relationship with Fernandez, but his contract is set to expire in the summer.
At the moment, there has been little progress in his future For the time being, he is at Stamford Bridge, and it is unclear whether he will be the first option when Kante becomes available, as the 28-year-old approaches the end of what could be his final major contract.
N’Golo Kante (for free during the summer) – The Frenchman was ultimately recalled to the Chelsea squad for the visit of Everton, and Kante is currently following a strategy to regain full fitness.
Positive rumblings regarding the 31-year-old staying at Chelsea have emerged, despite he has yet to play for Potter due to his injury situation since the former Brighton coach’s arrival.
The Blues will continue to manage his comeback in the hope that Kante regains full fitness, despite the fact that he is unlikely to do so there is still some hope that Chelsea’s star can be a game-changer for the rest of the season and beyond.
Denis Zakaria (CIES Football Observatory projected transfer value – £13.3 million)- The on-loan Swiss midfielder had to wait patiently for his chance before impressing on his debut and having his progress halted by an injury against Fulham.
Following his return, the Juventus midfielder has been limited to substitute games and was left out of the squad against Everton last weekend.
The Blues do have the option to make the loan deal permanent for a sum in the area of £26.5 million, but that appears unlikely at the moment.
Conor Gallagher (estimated transfer value of £31 million by CIES Football Observatory) – The Cobham product is most likely in an uncertain position as a result of Following the January transfer window, he appeared to preserve his position as the first bench option.
Both Crystal Palace and Newcastle expressed interest earlier this year, but Potter was anxious to keep the 23-year-old, who was content as long as he was playing football.
If Gallagher is unable to secure a spot in Chelsea’s rotation, interest will undoubtedly return in the summer, forcing both the player and the club to make a decision.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (estimated transfer value of £13.3 million by CIES Football Observatory)- The Chelsea midfielder has once again demonstrated his utility this season, and at times early in the season, demonstrated his dependability in the center of the pitch as players around him were injured.
The loanee from Fulham and Crystal Palace has been content with his job with the Blues and has contributed significantly over the last two seasons, but as he enters the final year of his contract, a fork in the road may be reached.
The team must decide if he will preserve the worth of his pay or whether they would want to cash in on him while they still can, as this may result in another player running down his contract.
Mason Mount (estimated transfer value of £61.9 million by CIES Football Observatory) – Mount, while not precisely a center midfielder, is no stranger to playing in the midfield three.
The England international was one of Chelsea’s top goals to sign a new contract, but the two parties have been unable to reach an agreement to an accord.
Chelsea’s form and outlook for next season have weakened their position, while Mount’s form has not helped his, leaving both player and club facing the final year of the 24-year-old’s contract.
With the club expecting to not allow contracts with less than two years remaining to expire, a decision could be made in the summer.
Carney Chukwuemeka (CIES Football Observatory projected transfer value – £8.8m)- Despite making only 11 Premier League games, Chukwuemeka has looked dynamic in his cameos.
His arrival was kept under wraps until the summer, but the £20 million fee indicated that he was expected to be engaged with the first team.
When the 19-year-old looks the part, As the squad is reduced, his playing time may grow in the future.
Lewis Hall (estimated transfer value of £5.3 million by CIES Football Observatory) – Despite mostly returning to under-21 football after the transfer window closed, the academy star has once again proven his worth in a first-team setting.
However, the kid has demonstrated his ability to retain a presence in first-team training, and his versatility has proven valuable to Potter. The team will have to decide whether he requires a loan transfer next.