Todd Boehly spent more than £500 million on players in the last two transfer windows, but it still seems like Chelsea are at least a few key players away from competing with their competitors on all fronts.
Even though the Blues have put a lot of money into their attacking options, they currently lack a reliable goal scorer. Joao Felix was added, but the international from Portugal is perhaps more of a creative player than a traditional No. 9.
The two wingers Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk were also signed, although it is obvious that they will need time to adjust to life at Stamford Bridge. Though the Gabonese forward made a rare cameo in the game, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future appears to lie elsewhere.
At the end of the season, Chelsea will undoubtedly aim to strengthen their midfield. On deadline day in January, the club acquired Enzo Fernandez for a British record transfer fee, although there is still a hunt underway for a new central midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.
But football, Declan Rice is still a long-term aim for Chelsea.
London is aware that Arsenal has put more effort into securing the West Ham United captain than their London rivals. When it comes to their former academy talent, the Blues are still anticipated to be in the discussion, but the competition is expected to be intense as there is a perception that the Hammers may be more willing to sell this summer.
Other players are also on the club’s radar, including Edson Alvarez of Ajax, who they have been keeping an eye on for some time. But, Chelsea should also try to reinforce the center of defense in the offseason.
Although Thiago Silva, 38, is now anticipated to be absent for approximately six weeks after the club announced the defender damaged ligaments in his knee during the first half of Sunday’s match against Spurs, this may sound weird given that Chelsea have five natural center-backs to choose from.
Although though Silva is getting close to 40, the Brazilian is still one of the finest at his position in the Premier League, and because to his steady play for Chelsea, he may be the most important defender Graham Potter has at his disposal. With 2,287 total minutes played this season, the former Paris Saint-Germain center-back leads the Chelsea roster.
Chelsea has attempted to control Silva’s playing time when they can, but injuries to players like Wesley Fofana have made this difficult. Regrettably, given Silva’s age and playing time, an injury was somewhat inevitable. Football.london examines the present center-back position at Chelsea and predicts what might transpire over the summer.
Uncertainty in Chalobah
Despite being nominated to the squad 31 times this season, Trevoh Chalobah has only appeared 19 times for Chelsea in all competitions. The 23-year-old received a lot of attention throughout the summer and January transfer windows, but he ultimately stayed at Stamford Bridge because the team was adamant about keeping him for the current campaign.
Chalobah’s contract has five more years left, so that is not the issue, but the Cobham graduate might look to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the current campaign. He is obviously not the most important player on Potter’s team, and it will be very challenging for him to reclaim his position given the competition in the center of defense.
Fears about Fofana’s injuries
Fofana recently made a full recovery from a long-term injury that has limited him to just 423 first-team minutes since joining for Chelsea for a significant sum of money in the summer. In addition to being a player for the future, the 22-year-old was also brought in to help the team’s defensive issues right away.
Silva’s injury means that Potter will probably ask Fofana to fill Silva’s position as the right center-back. Fofana and Chalobah are essentially the only choices available to Chelsea in this position, therefore the Frenchman has a challenging season to finish. He must demonstrate his suitability as a leader.
Fears about Fofana’s injuries
Fofana recently made a full recovery from a long-term injury that has limited him to just 423 first-team minutes since joining for Chelsea for a significant sum of money in the summer. In addition to being a player for the future, the 22-year-old was also brought in to help the team’s defensive issues right away.
Silva’s injury means that Potter will probably ask Fofana to fill Silva’s position as the right center-back. Fofana and Chalobah are essentially the only choices available to Chelsea in this position, therefore the Frenchman has a challenging season to finish. He must demonstrate his suitability as a leader.
Hopeful Badiashile
Benoit Badiashile, 21, was acquired from AS Monaco during the January transfer window. The player is seen as having a bright future. Nonetheless, the Frenchman has now made five appearances for his new team, three of which have been shutouts with Silva.
Badiashile is not seen as a long-term replacement for Silva because he plays on the left side of a center-back pairing. But, the early indications from the former Monaco star are extremely encouraging, and if his progress continues in this direction, he appears to be someone who might be a regular in the Chelsea defense for years to come.
Nonetheless, since Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with West Ham last season, the French defender has not played for the Blues.
Colwill circumstance
Levi Colwill is an additional choice for the left center-back position. The 20-year-old is presently playing for Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan. Colwill is currently sidelined with an injury, but before developing the issue, the Chelsea loanee was winning praise for his composed performances in a strong Seagulls team.
football.london is aware of This season, Chelsea has been closely monitoring the Cobham graduate’s development and has been quite pleased with what they have seen. Yet, the excessive amount of money Boehly is willing to spend on transfers makes it difficult for the loanee.
Colwill will be evaluated when he rejoins the team in the summer. Naturally, whether a transfer occurs depends on that activity.
Gvardiol continues to be a target
Chelsea is still interested in Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig. If the Blues did make a bid for the 21-year-old Croatian, it wouldn’t be as a long-term replacement for Silva because he plays left center-back for the German team.
Gvardiol has acknowledged his desire to play in the Premier League, but other English teams, especially Manchester City, are closely monitoring his situation. While Chelsea is aware that the Croatian international would not be cheap, their interest in his services last summer considerably diminished.