As a new era begins at Chelsea Football Club, it's straight down to business for Todd Boehly as he looks to reduce the big gap to Manchester City and Liverpool this summer. An 18-point gap separated second-placed Liverpool and the Blues last season and it's imperative for Chelsea to go closer in the Premier League next time around.
This summer, the task for the new Chelsea hierarchy is to assemble a squad that's strong enough to mount a season-long challenge rather than one for just a few months. That's where Boehly comes in...
According to a report from the Telegraph recently, Boehly is set to hand Thomas Tuchel £200million to improve his squad this summer. Numerous key positions need to be addressed by Chelsea this summer, with some players set to leave the club in the coming months.
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Antonio Rudiger recently signed for Real Madrid, while Andreas Christensen looks Barcelona-bound. That's two of Chelsea's key first-team centre-backs gone.
As well as this, Marcos Alonso could leave Chelsea, with Barcelona interested in the Spanish left-back. Ross Barkley, Jorginho and N'Golo Kante all face uncertain futures, too, with just over 12 months remaining on each of their contracts.
The attackers at Chelsea could look very different by the time the 2022/23 season starts as well. Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku have all been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks.
With all of this being said, football.london takes a look at how Chelsea may be best spending their £200m transfer budget. All values are taken from CIES Football Observatory.
Jules Kounde
Available for around £47m this summer, according to ESPN, Kounde is the obvious choice for Chelsea to try and sign. The Blues came close to signing the France international last summer, but Sevilla were demanding a bit too much for their defender.
This time around, though, there is a growing expectation that Kounde will be a Chelsea player by the end of the summer window. football.london understands that the 23-year-old relishes the challenge of playing in the Premier League, and the test it will bring him is part of his desire to join Chelsea. It's also understood that Chelsea prioritise signing the French defender.
Josko Gvardiol
Like Kounde, Gvardiol is another defensive target for Chelsea. Tuchel will need to bring in multiple central defenders due to the imminent departures of Rudiger and Christensen.
RB Leipzig defender Gvardiol fits the category. A left-footed centre-back who is composed and calm in possession. Numerous reports have claimed Chelsea could offer £40m for the Croatian defender.
Marc Cucurella
With Alonso looking set to leave Chelsea, Tuchel may need some back-up for the returning Ben Chilwell in the left wing-back position. They don't have to look too far.
Cucurella had a brilliant season down on the south coast for Brighton & Hove Albion, playing in a variety of positions, including as the left wing-back in Graham Potter's system. Valued at just £17m on CIES, the Spaniard could be a really smart piece of business for the Blues, who are said to be interested.
Ousmane Dembele
It's a saga that has seemingly gone on forever. Dembele to Chelsea. With his contract at Barcelona due to expire at the end of the month, it seems as if the Frenchman could finally be on the move.
football.london understands there is confidence from Dembele's camp that Chelsea could be his next destination. However, it's also understood that no decision has been made just yet by the France international, with Paris Saint-Germain also said to be interested in his services.
Who do you think Chelsea should be signing this window? Have your say in the comments
