It looks like Frenkie de Jong could gift Barcelona with a move away to Chelsea. The Catalans have not been shy of telling their Dutch midfielder to leave the club after months of pursuing a move to Manchester United. Erik ten Hag would like a reunion with the former Ajax player but de Jong just does not want to budge.
Rumours have now crept up indicating that the 25-year-old wouldn't actually mind a move to Chelsea if the Blues came knocking. Chelsea fans are elated by the idea of stealing a transfer target from one of their rivals; however, the question is - is Frenkie de Jong the right fit for Thomas Tuchel's team right now? There are a number of ways that the Blues could line up next season with their new signings. Reports even suggest a back 4 may be on the cards too.
In a midfield three there will be enough room to keep squad members happy, but a midfield 2 makes life more difficult for the Chelsea manager. A move for de Jong means three things, congestion in midfield, a perfect understudy for Jorginho and an indication that Declan Rice is no longer a target.
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Jorginho is often praised for his technical ability in midfield. His eagle-eyed passing skills set him aside from the rest. He's proven to be Tuchel's most favoured player since the manager's arrival in midfield so there is no doubt that he will have a pivotal role to play in next season's campaign. A midfield duo containing Jorginho and Frenkie de Jong would undoubtedly be technically sound. With his elite distribution from deep and sharp ball control, he already brings something different to the current selection of players in the team. As great as a technical link-up sounds, it probably wouldn't be the most sustainable regime which is why a midfield three could suit the squad better.
If Tuchel was to opt for a midfield three, he has an array of options to work with. N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher and potentially Ruben Loftus-Cheek all have a case to play a starting role. The introduction of de Jong bulks the midfield to a voluptuous extent. It'll be difficult for Tuchel to keep each individual happy with their game time. Fortunately, a number of Chelsea players have mentioned that the German chooses his team based on his opponent. Often there are a number of changes in the Chelsea side which should ultimately allow for more minutes to go around. Not to mention the long anticipated introduction of 5 subs per game.
Figuring out Chelsea's best midfield duo or three would be something to look forward to in the upcoming season. There is a chance that de Jong and Jorginho end up becoming two of a kind. The Blues have lacked an extra technically gifted midfielder that could fill the boots of Jorginho whenever he's unavailable. Someone who can control the tempo and distribute just as well as the Italian maestro. There may not be an offer on the table yet, but the idea of Frenkie de Jong in a Chelsea shirt sounds beautiful.
Chelsea's saga with Declan Rice could come to an end as a result of a move for de Jong. The 24-year-old has been held by West Ham and been given an unattainable price tag going into the summer transfer window. The Hammers are desperate to tie him down to a new contract, but his future at this stage remains unclear. Rice could actually end up at Manchester United in turn. It's a game of chess here. What move will Chelsea make next?
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