It’s already been a significant summer for Chelsea in terms of their transfer business, while they are also in the midst of their Club World Cup campaign over in the United States.
Enzo Maresca ’s first season at the club ended with silverware in the form of the UEFA Europa Conference League, and Champions League football was also secured thanks to a top-five finish. The focus now shifts to ensuring the team are ready to compete on multiple fronts next season – something already evident in their transfer activity.
Liam Delap, Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr have all been signed and sealed. Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Brighton’s Joao Pedro are also expected to arrive in the coming days, with the bulk of the summer business now close to completion.
As a new month approaches, football.london has taken a look at what a dream July might look like for Chelsea as preparations for the new season intensify.
Two new signings
With several new faces already through the door, there’s little need for wholesale changes to the squad. However, Chelsea could still look to strengthen their depth with a few additional signings – some of which will inevitably depend on outgoings.
One position that won’t be dictated by departures is the goalkeeper. After failing to land Mike Maignan before the Club World Cup, Chelsea may revisit this area of the pitch.
A number of names have been linked in recent weeks, so who Chelsea eventually settle on remains to be seen. They appear to be targeting a slightly older profile, as shown by their interest in Maignan, perhaps to avoid blocking the pathway for younger players.
Centre-back is another area worth exploring, particularly after the failed pursuit of Spain international Dean Huijsen, who chose Real Madrid over another Premier League move following his departure from Bournemouth earlier in the summer. Jorrel Hato fits the right age profile and offers the versatility to cover both left-back and left-sided centre-back, making him the most intriguing option for Chelsea.
Another striker could also be considered, though that will likely hinge on potential outgoings. With both Pedro and Gittens set to arrive, Chelsea’s forward line is already fairly bloated, so trimming the numbers will be essential.
Club World Cup triumph
Beyond transfers, the main target for July is to go all the way and win the Club World Cup. Maresca’s side have impressed so far, having secured their place in the quarter-finals following a win against Benfica over the weekend.
They now face a challenging test against Brazilian side Palmeiras in the last eight this week. Should they get past that, they’ll certainly back themselves to progress even further in the tournament. The financial incentives are also worth noting, particularly if they go on to lift the trophy.
Victory in the US would provide the perfect platform for the season ahead. With big ambitions of actually sustaining a title push, competing for domestic cups, and going deep in Europe, kicking things off with another trophy would be an ideal way to set the tone.
Five departures
As mentioned, trimming the squad will be key to any further business this summer. The likes of Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke have been linked with moves away and should still command solid fees.
Offloading fringe players who have spent time out on loan, such as Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Joao Felix, will also be important. Not only would their departures help raise funds, but they are also crucial in terms of squad management and harmon
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you’ll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you’ve followed, and you won’t miss a beat!
