Chelsea could be handed a way out of one of their summer transfers if they wish to part company already. Todd Boehly splashed the cash to bring in a handful of new recruits with the aim of improving Thomas Tuchel's squad for the present and the future, but seven months into their ownership and it's tough to see a successful signing for the first team so far.
Although it remains too early to judge the younger movers (Carney Chukwuemeka, Gabriel Slonina, Cesare Casadei and Omari Hutchinson), with Wesley Fofana, 22, and Marc Cucurella, 24, included, there hasn't been a statement impact made by Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Having shelled out £250m to secure that group Boehly will have been expecting better than to be sat in eighth place 14 matches in. This frustration comes because the latter three are all signings for the now. Sterling is 28 and meant to be in his prime, Aubameyang at 33 is experienced and was the surefire striker whereas Koulibaly has been one of the most dominant domestic defenders of his era.
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At 31 though, Koulibaly doesn't have the same leeway that may have been afforded should he have joined at Chelsea's previous spike in interest during 2017. This lends itself to a major headache with him being handed a four-year deal upon arrival, with an option of a fifth year, potentially taking him up to 36.
After a £35m transfer fee and wages of £295,000 per week (as per spotrac), Koulibaly is set to cost Chelsea and extra £61m over four years if he sees out his deal. His form since moving has been far from that of a man worthy of those costs. In nine league matches, he has two yellow cards and a red card, winning four, losing three and keeping just three clean sheets.
His expansive passing range on the ball is sure to be explored by Graham Potter in the second half of the season but new defenders are on the menu. If Josko Gvardiol is unattainable then an old target may be explored. Milan Skriniar was another player looked at over the summer with historic interest from the Blues.
He is out of contract at Inter Milan next summer and is available for negotiations come January. Although the 2021 champions are keen for him to sign a new deal and have even offered him the captaincy in order to get his commitment, Republica report that the Italians are exploring other options in case nothing is agreed upon.
On their list is Koulibaly, with it being said that manager Simone Inzaghi is a big fan of the former Napoli defender. The Blues have already been in talks with Inter having loaned Romelu Lukaku there over the summer after buying him one year ago, meaning that chains of communication could be reopened.
Although Koulibaly leaving without a replacement coming in is extremely unlikely, Chelsea could use the situation to their benefit, but it all swings on Skriniar.
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