Chelsea's summer transfer window has been a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs over the past month. Missed targets and opportunities have plagued their business so far, following a slow start to the market.
However, things appear to be picking up for the west London outfit in recent weeks. The additions of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella has seen the side strengthen, with over £100million spent at this stage, though plenty more signings are expected.
The exits of key forward figures such as Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner suggests further transfers could occur at the top end of the pitch. It was an issue Thomas Tuchel faced last season with his side and will be hoping they won't repeat this time around, despite a similar display against Everton in their opening fixture.
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The Blues struggled to break down the hosts at Goodison Park, but managed to edge through with a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Jorginho penalty. On the attacking play, the manager said: "Everton defended deep in the first half and we struggled with switching the play, we struggled to feel the moments to change speed. It seemed like we did not want to do a decisive mistake so we did not take the risk that is needed in the final 25 metres to open a space up.
"But in general it [the attacking play] was ok. Second half we did not have enough movement on the ball and that created a lot of ball losses from which we suffered and the game was stuck in between the halves. It wasn't in our half or their half. So in the first away match, you hang in and do what you need to keep a clean sheet and get the win."
Should the side look to go on and dominate games and score more, further additions may be required at the top end of the pitch. Plenty of players have been linked, though one shock forward that has been rumoured is that of Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The former Arsenal striker scored a decisive brace against the Blues in the FA Cup final back in 2020 and even captained the Gunners before he left back in January after a dispute with manager Mikel Arteta. He joined the Blaugrana on a free transfer, but has since been linked with a reunion with Tuchel - whom he played under at Borussia Dortmund.
Amid the transfer rumours, the Times reports that Aubameyang is unaware of any plan to leave the Nou Camp this summer and is expecting to stay with the Spanish club. It could deal a huge blow to the Blues in landing another striker in the remaining weeks of the window.
However, given the La Liga giant's financial concerns, a deal may not be completely off the table, should they need to move the Gabon international to free up wages and register other new signings.
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