As Chelsea looks for their new owner, the Blues should have a busy transfer window if all goes well. There are several players that may be at the top of Thomas Tuchel's list to bring in. However, this is no longer the Roman Abramovich era. A new owner will come in with a different regime of doing business. This could mean a player for player transfer system.
Assuming this is the case, Chelsea will need to get rid of a number of players to make space. As attached as some fans are to their favourite players, three players look to be replaced this summer.
Read More: Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni Chelsea transfers and how Conor Gallagher will be impacted
The first three targets are somewhat familiar, but the fourth might make you wonder if Chelsea should make a sacrifice.
Timo Werner OUT - Raphinha IN
Werner has not actually seen a lot of game time compared to last season. This season he has played 29 matches, 1557 minutes. Last season, he played almost double the amount with 52 games and 3831 minutes.
Things may turn around for the German, but with the lack of starting 11 appearances, I'm sure that he will be seeking a move away from Stamford Bridge. It will be a bittersweet departure as many fans have grown fond of the 25-year-old. Despite the far from impressive form, his personality keeps him in their good books.
As Werner makes his departure, Chelsea's new owner should look toward replacing him. Not with another number 9, but with another attacking forward. I know we have many in our locker already, but a player like Raphinha brings creativity.
He's the Jack Grealish for Leeds. The player that makes everything tick, not just in the final third, but from the transition from defence to attack. We could do with another Brazilian at the club. When was the last time a Brazilian joined Chelsea and did not make an impressive contribution?
Ruben Loftus-Cheek OUT - Aurelien Tchouameni IN
A Chelsea fan favourite might be coming to the end of an era. As much as I admire our Cobham talent, Loftus-Cheek, there comes a time when you have to admit that it's not working out. Like Tuchel, Maurizio Sarri, Antonio Conte, and Jose Mourinho have once said, the man is talented.
He is a dynamic midfielder who has been struck with unfortunate injuries throughout his career. His ceiling is still extremely high, but the fans demand the signing of Tchouameni. With that in mind, Loftus-Cheek could see more time on the bench or decide to make a name for himself elsewhere, which I know he's more than capable of doing.
Tchouameni is a Monaco talent that many believe to be the next best thing in midfield. I am quite sceptical after acquiring a former 'star boy' from Monaco, Tiemoue Bakayoko. Bakayoko is the midfielder that never was. His move to Chelsea was quite underwhelming, and I would hate to see the same thing happen to Tchouameni. The young Frenchman has a market value of just £36 million, which is much cheaper than the next option that I will be providing.
Jorginho OUT - Declan Rice IN
The last five years have shown Jorginho in many different lights. He's gone from the misunderstood midfielder to the dictating king on the Bridge. His talent is something to be deeply comprehended. The Italian is not the conventional deep-lying playmaker or number 6 that we see in many teams today. He has a craft for dictating play, controlling the tempo and orchestrating the midfield press.
On his day, watching him solely is quite therapeutic. He could calm a storm. But with that being said, a new era is needed with the new owner. It's time to revert to a more traditional number 6—a type of player that can get a little rough in transition and also assist in the attack.
Rice is the name on the tongue of many Chelsea fans. He shares a relationship with the fans because of his Cobham connection. I do not need to say too much about his ability for the owners to consider him. I know that he is pricey, but he will be the £100m welcoming gift from the owners to the fans.
Romelu Lukaku OUT - Arsenal/Man United Target IN!
Well, there's the question surrounding Lukaku's future at Chelsea. He seems to be pushing for an Inter Milan return, but I do not believe that his departure would move many Chelsea fans. There is still a bitter taste lingering after his Sky Italia interview that was revealed in December. There are not many options to replace him with, but there's a returning Armando Broja who could impress and finally make his stamp in the Chelsea first-team.
I also like the idea of acquiring Benfica's Darwin Nunez. A 22-year-old with a promising future. He's not the typical centre-forward. In fact, he's extremely mobile, enjoys dropping deep and is probably the playmaker that we have been longing to see. Chelsea might have some competition in their bid for Europe's upcoming star, but how good would it feel to beat Arsenal and Manchester United to the finish line?
Assuming Todd Bohely becomes the new owner of the club, his ideology to use data and analytics when choosing transfer targets might lead him to Nunez. Who knows!
