Chelsea could be set to hijack Tottenham's transfer plans for 2023 as Graham Potter sets about implementing his own strategy in charge. Backed by Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital and a new recruitment team heading into the new year, Chelsea aren't stopping with the £250m spent over the summer.
With plans already in place to secure Christopher Nkunku, as well as the need for a new right-back, central midfielder and forward, the Blues are looking at Rafael Leao still as his contract runs down at AC Milan. That's not all for Potter though, with a new target emerging.
According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, their attention is set to be on the England World Cup squad. Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher are currently there for Gareth Southgate, but 2023 target Declan Rice is also in place, as is Jude Bellingham.
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A new name has been put into the hat though, and Jacobs has told GiveMeSport that James Maddison has caught the eye. The midfielder was looked at by Tottenham and Newcastle over the summer but a £50m pricetag was put on his head.
Given the 26-year-old has been one of the most impressive players in the league since last season, the Foxes aren't willing to get rid of him for cheap, but may well be backed into a corner due having just 18-months left on his deal.
Maddison is yet to play for England at the World Cup but is very much in the shop window in Qatar regardless. Teams are expected to come in for again next month when the window opens, but Jacobs doesn't think that'll be simple. “Sources told me that Maddison would rather wait until the end of the season and Leicester are not ruling out a new deal either," he explained.
“But from Maddison’s point of view, the reason why he would rather wait is because he wants to know what he’s getting and right now if London’s the preference, and Tottenham and or, more loosely, Chelsea are looking at him, neither of those two clubs can categorically guarantee that they’re heading towards Champions League football for sure next season and Newcastle are in a better form position, but again, who knows whether they’re going to get over the line and get Champions League football.
“So, if James Maddison decides in January, then he is gambling to some extent on who he’s joining in qualifying for the Champions League.
“If James Maddison does a full season at Leicester and then does want to leave, then not only does he have longer to navigate that move during the summer, but he’ll have absolute clarity on what he’s walking into in terms of Champions League football, and he’ll have a full pre-season to work with that new squad, rather than World Cup fatigue and then moving mid-season.
“So, I do sense that unless a massive offer is made, Newcastle will struggle to get James Maddison in January.”
A similar story is likely to be on the cards for Chelsea with Rice and Bellingham, both of whom want European football at the highest level. Although it makes the expectations and demands clearer for Potter, it also adds pressure for the rest of the season.
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