Chelsea are beginning to accelerate their business in the hope that the squad is ready before the new Premier League campaign kicks off, with manager Thomas Tuchel hoping that his side can mount a title challenge and compete with both Manchester City and Liverpool.
The arrival of Raheem Sterling will add much-needed quality, explosiveness and experience within the forward line, something the club desperately needed as improvements in both goals and chance creation is a must going into next season. The priority, however, in this window was arguably to bolster the backline with top additions. Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen refused to commit their long-term futures at the club and instead decided to walk away on a free, meaning that strengthening the heart of the defence was imperative.
The Blues officially confirmed the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly yesterday, for a £33.8million fee, who will come to Stamford Bridge with a plethora of experience under his belt having spent eight years with Napoli. He alone though is not enough, with Tuchel now planning on adding a left-footed option. Manchester City's Nathan Ake was widely reported to be moving back to west London, but it is now likely that he will play a part in Pep Guardiola's squad for next season.
