Romelu Lukaku's uncertain Chelsea future means that a new striker and other attacking options are set to be considered in the summer transfer window by new Blues owner Todd Boehly.
Boehly, who recently completed his £4.25billion takeover, has thrown himself into a situation of much uncertainty as multiple players deliberate on their futures. It isn't only the playing squad who are weighing up their options with it understood that Marina Granovskaia could be leaving in the near future at the expense of Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta if the latest is to be believed. However, in terms of the playing squad itself, as well as the various defenders who are looking to follow Antonio Rudiger in pursuing new and fresh challenges elsewhere, a few Chelsea attackers could be about to do the same.
Lukaku is understood to want to return to Inter whilst the likes of Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech are reportedly open to hearing offers from elsewhere. Now it's important that players are to be moved on if new acquisitions are to come in as clarified by football.london's Chief Chelsea Correspondent Adam Newson in his latest Q&A segment. "I think the key to potential arrivals in the final third – barring Dembele because of his contract situation – will depend on who from the current attack moves on: the futures of Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku are all up in the air at the moment," he wrote.
READ MORE: How Thomas Tuchel will rebuild Chelsea squad this summer without blowing £200m transfer budget
Consequently, with Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele looking almost a certainty to come in and take up an attacking role for next season, it's no surprise to see the USMNT international linked to a move to Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp understood to be keen for the Reds' board to bring in his former player at Dortmund as a direct replacement for Bayern Munich bound Sadio Mane.
If Werner or Ziyech were to move on, then another wide player on top of Dembele could potentially be recruited, meaning the links to Raheem Sterling and Raphinha can be validated but the chances of Tuchel allowing a further winger to leave on top of a Pulisic would seem unlikely at this point.
In the number 9 position, the Blues have a number of external and internal options to replace their currently unsettled club-record signing. Externally, the likes of Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, Benfica's Darwin Nunez and Lille's Jonathan David are viable options that are being considered, as per The Athletic.
Out of the three, Martinez seems the most accomplished at this moment in time and with little time for the Blues to try and rebuild to a state where they can challenge both Liverpool and Man City next season for the 2022/23 Premier League title, the Finalissima goalscorer could be the perfect tonic in this regard for Tuchel.
Alternatively, Armando Broja could be used in a rotational sense alongside Kai Havertz in the number 9 role but with heavy interest from the likes of West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Southampton respectively, a Chelsea stay looks unlikely for the 20-year-old at this point amid heavy loan links with the aforementioned trio of Premier League sides.
"The first six months of Broja's loan at Southampton certainly seemed like it was going to leave Chelsea in a tough position, with where his next step was best. Premier League teams seemed to figure out the youngster in the latter stages of the season which maybe strengthens Chelsea's position just slightly," football.london's Chelsea Correspondent Adam Newson said.
"Regardless, at this stage a loan seems more likely than a permanent move, as the Blues hold such a strong position with Broja's contract not set to expire until 2026. With just two seasons of senior football there is still plenty of opportunity for his value to rise. Nottingham Forest are said to already be interested in a loan, while Southampton made their interest clear during the season. Will be interesting to see if he can impress in pre-season, particularly if someone like Timo Werner moves on."
With all taken into consideration, football.london lists the ideal front three that could help Tuchel In his mission to end the Blues' five-year Premier League title wait.
Starting front three - Ousmane Dembele, Mason Mount, Lautaro Martinez.
Bench options to rotate throughout the season - Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Armando Broja
Chelsea fans - What would be your ideal attacking frontline for next season and what formation what you have those players operating in under Thomas Tuchel? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below
