Serge Gnabry has dealt Chelsea with a major transfer blow as Bayern Munich agreed to new terms to keep the German in Bavaria. The Blues had been linked with the winger after negotiations with Ousmane Dembele fell through as the Frenchman decided to stick with Barcelona for another two years.
Chelsea currently have an array of attacking options, so does this Gnabry saga really have a negative effect on Thomas Tuchel's rebuild? Romelu Lukaku was the first player out of the door once the transfer window opened in June.
It was to be expected as the Belgian struggled in his first year back at Stamford Bridge. Instead of hunting for a like-for-like replacement, the Blues opted for the versatile Raheem Sterling to join their attack - indicating that Timo Werner could be around for another season.
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In only adding Raheem Sterling to the team, Thomas Tuchel could be happy with the selection of players that he already has. Kai Havertz has shown glimpses of becoming a prolific goal scorer, and Werner has improved his game since his initial season at the club. The question now is, will this be enough to compete with Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez in the upcoming season?
Sitting down with the media in Los Angeles ahead of Chelsea's pre-season fixture, Tuchel spoke about his options in attack.
"At the moment, we have Timo (Werner) as a nine, we have Kai (Havertz) as a nine, we have Michy Batshuayi as a number nine, we have Armando Broja as a nine, Raheem Sterling as a nine, maybe, and let's see how things work out.
"I think, right now, there is not the first priority to get another big striker in. I think we have enough intensity, goalscoring ability, and mobility to compensate. We go from there. We need to focus on different areas first and maybe see later."
The Blues sure do have incredible striking options to play with. Batshuayi is an interesting option as he has not played first-team football with Chelsea since 2018. He was a striker with a stellar conversion rate for the Blues but was always out of favour with the managers for one reason or the other.
Broja is also a choice that may not be an option by the end of the transfer window. Following his first season on loan to Southampton, he'd racked up interest from other clubs, including West Ham United. The Albanian international has made his intentions to play first-team football clear. He wants the minutes and deserves a chance under Tuchel's management.
Pre-season will be 'make or break' especially for those two forwards, seeing as the Chelsea manager also considers Sterling as a nine in his system too. Sterling's versatility covers both wings and the false 9 positions. He excels across the front line and is ready to play anywhere. Tuchel could opt for a fluid attack without needing a target man if Broja and Batshuayi do not make the squad by the start of the season. Is this something that fans would be willing to see?
Hakim Ziyech is close to a loan exit to AC Milan. With Gnabry no longer an option, the Blues must assess if this move would benefit the team going forward. Callum Hudson-Odoi is another winger that could be sent on loan to Newcastle as Eddie Howe wishes for the winger to join his side. There is still a lot of time left in the transfer window, but Tuchel wants to be ready by the time Chelsea play Everton on the 6th of August.
Are you happy with Chelsea's current attack? Let us know in the comments below who you would buy, sell or loan?
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