Despite the summer transfer window not being open for business yet, Chelsea's place in the market has already taken several twists and turns. The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as new head coach has allowed for the side to finally make progress on how his squad will shape up for next season.
Exits for a number of players seem likely as the likes of Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continue to be linked with a move away. There's also a potential exodus in the midfield ranks too as Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are said to be in talks with other clubs over a switch.
The future of N'Golo Kante appears uncertain too as Fabrizio Romano reports that an offer to move to Saudi Arabia is on the table. The move would see the Frenchman leave Chelsea on a free transfer, though the Blues have made a contract offer themselves that is yet to be signed.
Those four potential exits, followed by the move for Jorginho to Arsenal back in January, could signal the huge area that Pochettino must focus on this summer: the midfield. In Enzo Fernandez, the Argentine has an option that could hold down the central ranks for years to come.
Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte was viewed as an ideal partner to the 22-year-old World Cup winner, but the Blues eventually backed out of the move as PSG took the lead in the race to sign him. It means the side will now have to move on to other targets for the midfield, where they will need options to fill the exits.
football.london understands that Chelsea will push to sign Brighton star Moises Caicedo this summer, with confidence over agreeing a deal. The 21-year-old is versatile, able to play across the midfield as well as at right-back, though a high price tag is expected to be set by the Seagulls and plenty of competition for his signature.
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football.london also understands that the west London outfit admire Celta Vigo youngster Gabri Veiga, but a move for the 21-year-old isn't a priority at this time. The Spanish youth international had a break out season in La Liga, scoring 11 goals in 36 appearances, securing his side's top flight status with a final day brace against Barcelona.
The reality for Chelsea is that without European football, they will be in a different market to others, but they won't need a huge squad either. So while there's a number of exits expected, the priority of signing a few midfielders for the future is key, but not in the same quantity as outgoings.
It means the dilemma for Pochettino and his staff will be signing quality and potential over quantity as the squad return to a smaller size before making a push towards the top ends of the league.
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