The times they are a'changing at Chelsea, but the Blues probably weren't ready for this.
The west Londoners are the next club under our summer microscope as we gave our Mirror Football team the keys to Stamford Bridge, where a new revolution is under way following the arrival of Todd Boehly.
With changes in the club's boardroom dominating the headlines, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is said to have been given a little more leeway on transfers this summer, while the club have also been linked with a move for departing Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards.
Whatever they end up doing though, Boehly, Tuchel and maybe Edwards have been given plenty of food for thought with these suggestions...
David Hughes
Although we’re still early into the window, there’s already been a number of notable departures at Chelsea, with Thomas Tuchel set to be without Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Romelu Lukaku next season.
They may not be the only departees at the club, with Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech also being linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge. Reinforcements will therefore be needed in most positions across the squad.
First I’d be looking to address the defence.
Rudiger was Chelsea’s best and most consistent defender last season, making more appearances than any other player. A top-quality replacement is therefore essential.
Jules Kounde looks the obvious option, though with Sevilla proving tough to negotiate with, I’d be looking at someone like Jonathan Tah as a potential alternative. The 6ft5 Bayer Leverkusen defender is everything you want in a centre-back. He’s tall, powerful, commanding but also composed in possession too.
At left-back, Borna Sosa has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Alonso, who's likely to depart. However, I’m a bigger fan of his Bundesliga rival David Raum . The Hoffenheim man scored three goals and registered ten assists last season and according to Wyscout boasted the highest Expected Assist (xA) total in Germany’s top tier.
A number of names have been linked in the midfield and Declan Rice would obviously be the most ideal option if a deal could be done. However, someone like Teun Koopmeiners from Atalanta could be a cheaper but still exciting alternative.
In attack, I really liked the idea of Christopher Nkunku joining the Blues. However, it has just been announced that he has signed a new Leipzig deal.
Chelsea most likely got wind of this and have switched their attention to Raheem Sterling who’d be an excellent alternative to bring to the club.
Daniel Orme
Now free from UK Government sanctions, the Blues can finally get their summer business started and their first port of call has to be at centre-back. Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have both departed and leave a gaping hole in the Chelsea defence.
A top-level centre-back is surely a priority for the club and Jules Kounde fits the bill perfectly.
A move for Leicester star Wesley Fofana would be expensive but the Frenchman would also be a brilliant addition and considering their business with the Foxes in the past, negotiations could potentially be straight-forward.
The next major decision is in attack and it is unfathomable for me why Chelsea are letting club record signing Romelu Lukaku rejoin Inter Milan on-loan. Whilst the Belgian did not have the best season last term, the Blues squad is certainly better with him in it.
Should they remain determined to let him go this summer then a replacement must be their priority. Robert Lewandowski would no doubt be an excellent option with the Pole having expressed his intentions to depart Bayern Munich.
Considering Barcelona ’s financial worries, it seems fathomable that Chelsea would be able to beat the package on-offer by the Catalan giants and then all that remains is convincing Lewandowski of a switch to Stamford Bridge.
One option that they haven’t been linked with is Ciro Immobile but the Italian could potentially be an excellent acquisition.
The Lazio captain is younger than Lewandowski and boasts a stunning goalscoring record with the Italian giants having hit a further 32 goals in all competitions last term.
Ricky Charlesworth
It will be intriguing to see how Chelsea fare in the post-Roman Abramovich era.
In terms of transfers, the team are in need of a revamp with fresh blood required at both ends of the pitch.
Having lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, Thomas Tuchel needs to recruit at two new centre-halves. I would opt for Mathias de Ligt of Juventus and Leicester City's Wesley Fofana to inject some much-needed legs alongside veteran Thiago Silva at the back. The full-back options in Ben Chilwell and Reece James are fine.
Up front the torrid second spell of Romelu Lukaku looks to finally be coming to an end and the forward area definitely needs an overhaul too.
Raheem Sterling would be a superb addition if they can get a deal with Manchester City sorted.
Even if they do this, the Blues would still need an out-and-out centre-forward and I'd be going all out to try and bring in Leverkusen's Patrick Schick . Only Robert Lewandowski scored more goals in the Bundesliga last season and he caught the eye at the Euros with Czech Republic.
I'd also try and bring in Southampton's James Ward-Prowse to complement an already-quality midfield of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho.
In terms of outgoings, I would cash in on Ross Barkley, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Colin Millar
Chelsea’s decisions to allow Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi to be sold last year were questionable at the time and have become more costly with hindsight.
The exits of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger have left the Blues down to the bare bones in central defence, with Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta both linked with moves away.
That means there is a pressing priority to acquire at least two defenders this summer – with Thiago Silva, who turns 38 in September, unlikely to be able to play multiple matches per week.
It is essential to secure Romelu Lukaku’s exit as soon as possible to free up the wages required to land at least one new attacking star.
Ousmane Dembele is out of contract at Barcelona and Raheem Sterling has been linked from Man City; both would be better tactical fit in Thomas Tuchel’s system than the cumbersome Lukaku ever was.
There is also a prevailing sense that there are too many players out on loan with no prospects of long-term futures at Stamford Bridge. Decisions need to be made on Malang Sarr, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ross Barkley too after failing to convince Tuchel they merit a starting place.
A year ago, the Blues had eyes on challenging for the Premier League title but last season’s loss in form, key player exits and uncertainty with the club’s ownership situation means expectations have had to be downgraded for the upcoming campaign.
Tom Blow
Defence has to be the priority for Tuchel and Boehly.
Chelsea have already said goodbye to Antonio Ruidger and Andreas Christensen this summer and shouldn't rely on Thiago Silva, who turns 38 in September, to be available every game.
Inter Milan have a decent defence, leaking just 32 goals in Serie A last season, and should use Romelu Lukaku's return to Italy to their advantage. A swap deal involving one of Stefan de Vrij , Alessandro Bastoni or Milan Skriniar wouldn't be a bad idea.
The Blues need to get rid of some deadwood. Kenedy and Ross Barkley don't play enough to warrant a place in the squad, while it's incredible to think Emerson, Michy Batshuayi, Bab Rahman and Matt Miazga are all still on their books. Time for a clear out!
Chelsea also need to bring some of their youngsters into the fold. Ex-boss Frank Lampard was right to give Reece James, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori a chance in 2019 (although I appreciate the latter two are no longer at the club).
Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja both deserve an opportunity next season after stellar loan spells at Crystal Palace and Southampton respectively, while Billy Gilmour remains a talented player despite his struggles at Norwich last term.
Realistically, it's hard to see Chelsea challenging Manchester City and Liverpool for the title in 2022-23. Finishing in the top four and winning a trophy should be deemed a success by Boehly and the club's new ownership group.
Mark Jones
Everyone knows about the issues at the back but we can come to those later. It's time to have some fun first.
The Romelu Lukaku experiment has failed, clearly, but I'm surprised to see that the idea of replacing him with another No.9 is so popular. Chelsea have been at their best when Kai Havertz plays through the centre and there's pace out wide, so we'll have a bit of Raheem Sterling who can do both thank you very much.
Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic should be persisted with because you can only write off so much money, and I'm keeping Hakim Ziyech around as well. We can keep Armando Broja around for a year to look at him as a different option when a No.9 is needed, and let's have a look at Serge Gnabry at Bayern Munich now they've gone and signed Sadio Mane.
Midfield is fine, but seeing as everyone is getting on a bit I'd look to mould Conor Gallagher into a deeper player as he returns to the squad, and we can keep an eye on signing Declan Rice next summer when his price should have come down a bit. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is being kept on, largely to help with the new kit photoshoots.
At the back there are probably two new centre-backs needed, and I'd make Wesley Fofana the No.1 choice there. The secondary option doesn't have to be a word-beater, just a solid addition, so let's make a cheeky bid for Joe Gomez and see how determined Liverpool are to hang onto him. Michael Edwards could help with that.
When it comes to wing-backs Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro only has a year left on his contract and could replace Marcos Alonso on the left, he played under the manager in Germany, while Callum Hudson-Odoi needs to be trusted to fill in on the left and right when needed.
Oh, and Kepa Arrizabalaga can move on if anyone puts in a decent bid for him, with someone like Martin Dubravka at Newcastle a perfectly fine No.2 goalkeeper.
Freddie Keighley
Central defence is the first port of call for Chelsea this summer transfer window after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left at the expiry of their contracts.
Having held positive talks with Jules Kounde last year, the Blues must return with a bid that can get a deal for the Sevilla stalwart over the line. The 23-year-old has plenty of experience in the Champions League and has established himself in the France squad, so he would be the ideal youthful option to partner Thiago Silva.
Shipping Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan on loan for a substantial fee - while his wages will also be covered by the Italian giants - is a shrewd move and will bolster the coffers for further recruitment. Another centre-back would be a welcome addition and left-footed RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol could bring balance to Thomas Tuchel's three-man defence.
Of course, Lukaku's exit will leave the Blues without a focal point in attack, but this will give the likes of Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz the chance to flourish with extended runs in the starting XI. The trio have shown flashes of brilliance but they are reaching a stage when they must perform week in, week out to live up to their lofty price tags.
Not signing a big name in attack this summer - even though Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele are linked with a move to Stamford Bridge - will mean Chelsea have more money in the bank to spend in the transfer windows to come under their new Todd Boehly-led hierarchy.
N'Golo Kante, 31, is increasingly struggling with injuries and is out of contract next summer, so Chelsea must stump up the cash to bring Declan Rice back to West London from West Ham - even if it costs a nine-figure sum next year.
