MY ACCOUNT
With changes afoot in the Chelsea boardroom, it is set to be a summer of transition at Stamford Bridge.
But the Blues will need to make moves in the transfer market if they are to stand any chance of challenging Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title next season.
That includes additions at the sharp end of the pitch, where there is ample room for improvement.
As Thomas Tuchel’s outfit prepare to face Liverpool in the FA Cup final, we take a look at how their attacking recruitment could shape up in the coming months.
On the way out?
No first team attacking players are out of contract this summer — but there could still be some exits in that department.
With Romelu Lukaku’s club-record move not working out and some doubts lingering over summer 2020 recruit Timo Werner, it would not be a surprise to see the Blues offload one or both forwards.
Throw in the fact that Christian Pulisic has continued to see limited action and there is potential for an offensive exodus from Stamford Bridge.
Martinez move
Inter Milan hitman Lautaro Martinez could be the so far elusive solution to Chelsea’s long-standing centre-forward conundrum.
The 24-year-old Argentina international would reportedly be available for around £51million and Inter may need to sell, given that money is tight at the San Siro.
Martinez has struck 23 times in all competitions for the Nerazzurri this term and has posted the highest expected goals per 90 minutes in Serie A (0.84).
Inter’s No10 is coming into his peak years, so now could be the ideal time for the Blues to make a move, especially if they can get him at that relatively reasonable price.
Dembele deal
If Chelsea look to bolster their wide attacking options, they could do far worse than Ousmane Dembele.
The Frenchman appears set to become a free agent when his Barcelona contract expires next month.
Dembele has gone through a difficult period with injuries during his time at the Camp Nou but he has returned to his brilliant best this term, providing a LaLiga-high 13 assists and creating the joint-second most big chances (also 13), despite making just 20 appearances.
Dembele only turns 25 tomorrow and while there would be an element of risk to signing him given his injury record, he could prove to be an absolute steal.
Broja breakthrough?
Whether Chelsea bring in a new starting striker or not, they could do with expanding their options in that position.
And one man under consideration is already a Blues player with Armando Broja enjoying a strong season on loan at Southampton.
The 20-year-old has not been prolific for the Saints — scoring just nine times in all competitions — but that is understandable with the mid-table side not one of the top-flight’s highest scorers.
He has proved himself to be an imposing, well-rounded forward in a front two though, which is an attacking configuration Tuchel sometimes chooses to employ.
Defensive priorities
With Chelsea’s future ownership still uncertain, there is no guarantee that they will have copious amounts of cash to burn this summer.
And Tuchel seems prepared for that eventuality.
Speaking last month, he said: “It is not possible that a new owner comes in and says: ‘go wild, here is £250m — go and spend it’.”
With the Blues needing to replace outgoing centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and potentially Andreas Christensen as a matter of priority, they may not be able to fully revamp their forward line in one hit this off-season.
