With Todd Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea completed, the club have put any uncertainty behind them and can now turn their full focus to the transfer window.
It was a frustrating season for large periods both on and off the pitch, but Thomas Tuchel will be hoping for a busy summer can freshen up the squad and go some way to closing the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool.
There are big decisions for the club to make in the months ahead. Antonio Rudiger has already left to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, while rumours continue about Romelu Lukaku’s future at Stamford Bridge as Inter Milan push to bring him back to Italy.
Here’s what a perfect summer would look like for Chelsea...
Goalkeeper
Out: Kepa
Maurizio Sarri is reportedly keen on reuniting with Kepa Arrizabalaga, despite their infamous Wembley falling-out. Chelsea will not be able to get near the fee they paid out for the goalkeeper, but the time is right for Kepa to move on this summer.
A direct replacement could come in, though Nathan Baxter and Marcus Bettinelli perhaps provide enough in terms of back-up to Edouard Meny and resources can then be focused elsewhere.
Defence
In: Kounde, Skriniar, Sosa
Out: Alonso, Emerson
With Rudiger joining Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen also set to leave on a free transfer as his contract expires, much of the focus this summer for Chelsea will be on the defence.
The Blues are closing in on a move for Jules Kounde as one potential replacement, while Milan Skriniar would be a brilliant signing for Tuchel’s side and help them cope with those departures. Inter Milan may be willing to sanction that move if Lukaku ends up returning this window.
Borna Sosa would provide strong competition for Ben Chilwell, allowing Chelsea to sell Marcos Alonso, who is spoken of his desire to return to Spain, and Emerson Palmieri.
Cesar Azpilicueta had his contract extended for another 12 months and while Barcelona remain interested, his experience and versatility is worth keeping at Stamford Bridge next season.
Midfield
In: Sangare
Out: Barkley, Jorginho
With West Ham extremely unlikely to sell Declan Rice this summer, the Blues will have to turn their attentions elsewhere. PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare has a release clause of £30m and would strengthen Chelsea’s midfield options, while Yves Bissouma is a slightly more expensive option.
Conor Gallagher will surely be given a run in the first-team after his strong loan spell at Crystal Palace, while transfer plans will depend on the futures of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho who are both out of contract next summer.
Now could be the time to sell Jorginho and the Blues should also be looking to move Ross Barkley on. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been linked with a summer exit, though he has proved to be a useful squad player having made 39 appearances across all competitions this season.
Defence
In: Jesus, Dembele, Nkunku
Out: Lukaku, Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi, Batshuayi
Ousmane Dembele is available on a free transfer and Chelsea look to be leading the race to sign the Frenchman, so snapping him up would be smart business for the Blues. Christopher Nkunku is a player many clubs will be after and his flexibility across the front line looks perfect for Chelsea. The 24-year-old notched up 20 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga this season.
Should Lukaku leave this summer, a move for a striker will surely follow and Gabriel Jesus is certainly available. He would be an easier man to get than Lautaro Martinez, even if Chelsea push for him as part of a potential Lukaku deal, while Robert Lewandowski’s name could pop up again should his desired move to Barcelona fall through. Armando Broja returns from his loan move to Southampton and will be hoping to get a run in the side.
Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi are two players that have struggled for minutes and the Blues could receive decent fees for, while Michy Batshuayi needs a permanent move away.
