MY ACCOUNT
Chelsea were surprisingly quiet during the January transfer window.
Aside from the capture of Under-23s youngster Dylan Williams from Derby, the Blues’ mid-season business comprised solely of outgoings.
But with a potential defensive crisis looming and striker Romelu Lukaku linked with the exit door, they are sure to be busy when the summer comes around.
Ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round clash with Plymouth, we look at six players Chelsea could target to bolster Thomas Tuchel’s options this summer.
Jules Kounde
Central defence is undoubtedly Chelsea’s most pressing area of concern, with current trio Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all out of contract in the summer.
Sevilla man Jules Kounde is a known long-term target — a deal for the Frenchman reportedly collapsed last summer when Chelsea were unwilling to meet his £68million release clause.
Speculation surrounding the 23-year-old has not died down since and Tuchel sees the seven-cap international as a key summer signing as he continues to impress for the Rojiblancos.
Sevilla have so far held on to Kounde and defensive partner Diego Carlos but could opt to offload to stave off their financial worries.
And reports claim there is a growing confidence at Chelsea that a £42m bid will be enough to prise the defender away as he enters the final two years of his contract.
Eder Militao
Chelsea are looking to Spain for an alternative option with Real Madrid man Eder Militao named as another who could make the move to West London.
Such is the uncertainty over their current trio’s future, it is more than conceivable that both Militao and Kounde could arrive at Stamford Bridge.
But the Brazilian will not be an easy man to secure, having established himself as a key man for Los Blancos under Carlo Ancelotti this season.
The 24-year-old made the switch to Real for £41m in 2019 and the Blues will surely need to significantly increase that number if they are to get their man.
With Militao still reported to be one of Madrid’s lowest-paid players, he could be tempted by a lucrative Premier League offer.
Declan Rice
The centre of midfield also looks to be an area Chelsea want to strengthen as they look to add another option alongside injury prone N’Golo Kante.
And after developing into one of the Premier League’s finest in the position with West Ham, Declan Rice is constantly linked with a move back to the club he was let go from as a 14-year-old.
Speculation only intensified this week after the 23-year-old admitted he was a season ticket holder at Stamford Bridge when he was younger, while he named Blues legend John Terry as his football idol growing up.
A pivotal figure for the Hammers as they continue to punch above their weight in the Premier League, his head could be turned if their bid for the top four falls short this season.
Chelsea will not be short of competition for Rice’s signature though, with Manchester United and Manchester City known admirers and a figure of £100m mooted for the England man.
Aurelien Tchouameni
It would be a big surprise to see Monaco hold on to Aurelien Tchouameni past this summer.
Along with Rice, the French international appears to be top of several clubs’ list in the defensive midfield position as his reputation continues to grow in Ligue 1.
With no Premier League experience but an £80m price tag still on his head, the 22-year-old would represent more of a gamble than Rice.
But having become a regular starter for France in the last year, there is no reason why he would not cope with the step up.
Tchouameni has himself stated his desire to challenge for major trophies, revealing in November: “I have goals, dreams, a desire to play for the best clubs, to win titles, to impact my sport and my position.
“I want to leave a mark. It’s not just about playing football, earning money, titles here and there and then doing something else with my life. I don’t want to end my career like an average player and to be forgotten.”
Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele looks more than likely to leave Barcelona when his contract expires at the end of the season and Chelsea are beginning to emerge as frontrunners.
The French winger was reportedly offered to the Blues during the January window in a move which would see him link back up with Tuchel — who he played under at Borussia Dortmund prior to his £126m move to Catalonia.
With Romelu Lukaku making headlines for the wrong reasons earlier this season and Chelsea’s forward line stuttering in recent months, they look likely to be in the market for attackers.
While a winger rather than an out-and-out striker like Lukaku, it may prove hard for Chelsea to turn down signing a player of Dembele’s quality on a free transfer.
Erling Haaland
One who would undoubtedly fill the potential Lukaku-shaped void is Erling Haaland, who Chelsea may fancy returning for this summer.
The 21-year-old striker is one of Europe’s hottest properties after scoring a incredible 80 goals in 79 games for Dortmund.
The likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City are known to be interested in the Norway international, who appears more than likely to leave Germany this summer.
The Blues attempted to steal a march on their competitors by moving for Haaland last summer, before opting for Lukaku when a deal looked too expensive.
But with a reported £63m release clause now coming into play, do not be surprised to see Chelsea go back in.
