Transfer Chatter + Ratings
Chelsea insider Dan McCarthy with the latest on Chelsea's transfer targets
Champions of Europe, we know what we are.
It still hasn’t sunk in. Honestly, I haven’t felt a better feeling on this planet yet than watching Chelsea win the biggest competition club football has to offer. We’ve done it again, simply incredible. With that said, attention now quickly shifts to the million-dollar question, how do we repeat and do it again?
Thomas Tuchel has said in his latest press conference that 2-3 signings this summer would be enough to strengthen the squad and push for further accolades this upcoming season. We understand that Roman Abramovich is willing to support the German coach in this pursuit, with a comfortable purse of around £150-200m to spend, this also dependant on outgoings. Tuchel had this to say on the situation…
“Two or three could be very, very good. It’s a constant thing to never deny change. That you always bring new energy, new guys who question the old beliefs, who challenge everybody in the training and in matches, so I think it’s a good thing.
“We don’t need another seven and another complete turnover because it’s also our job to keep on improving, because we have still a young squad and it’s not about stealing from them the chance to prove it again that they are capable of growing and evolving. But we have some ideas, of course, to make the group stronger and I think this can always be a positive thing to challenge all of us.”
With that said, who are Chelsea interested in? An efficient synopsis on each target from the latest I’ve been told, plus my own likeliness rating lies below…
Romelu Lukaku - Centre Forward (Club priority, Tuchel likes him)
As said above, I will keep each of these brief. Many say Lukaku has unfinished business at Chelsea, and with Antonio Conte leaving Inter Milan and the club in financial trouble, accompany that with Chelsea’s desire for a lucrative and affordable number 9, this deal makes sense to many. The club rate Lukaku highly and believe a deal can be done, the ball is now in Inter’s court, expect this one to drag on a while…
Likeliness to happen? 6/10 for now. Will fluctuate during/after the Euros.
Erling Haaland - Centre Forward (Club priority, Tuchel rates him, tough ask)
The golden boy of the footballing world, the reigning Bundesliga player of the year. Erling Haaland helped Borussia Dortmund secure Champions League football next year, which only strengthens their attempts to keep the player until next summer, which also is the time when his current release clause is able to be triggered. Every top team in Europe is pursuing Haaland, Chelsea’s owner and board are huge fans and would love to entice him to West London, hence why preliminary talks have been held. With that said, I personally don’t see this one happening due to the price/competition at hand unless Chelsea pursues it hard with a ridiculous amount of money.
Likeliness to happen? 4/10. Can change in an instant, yet unlikely.
Declan Rice - Centre Midfielder (Club interest, Tuchel rates him)
Declan Rice has had a long affiliation with Chelsea Football Club, as many know. Many will also know former manager Frank Lampard was desperate to sign Rice, many thought when he left the club’s interest had disappeared, wrong. The fact Tuchel also rates the player has only reignited the pursuit of Declan, which as I reported on thoroughly last window will not be easy. The club is wary of the huge price tag it will take to move Declan from East to West London, accompanied by the fact Chelsea would need to sell a few or one particular player in order to truly pursue the deal. This one would be a tougher deal to do than Lukaku I feel, however, it’s alive.
Likeliness to happen? 5/10 for now. Chelsea’s outgoing business this summer is key.
Aurelien Tchouameni - CM (Scouted by club extensively, Tuchel rates him)
Monaco’s youthful powerhouse, Tchouameni is on the radar of many top European clubs after his breakout season in Ligue 1 this year, earning him a place in the team of the season. Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has spoken highly of him, plus he suits the mould of a versatile midfielder/defender that Tuchel craves. Tuchel rates the player and the club has scouted him extensively for a while, seeing him as a cheaper alternative to fixing our defensive midfielder position. With that said, he is still currently an alternative, early days.
Likeliness to happen? 5/10. Early days, no bid. Dependant on the above deal.
Honourable mentions -
Raphael Varane: Chelsea has certainly had this player on the radar for a while now and has reached out to his entourage to gather interest from the player on a potential move to West London. However, with plenty of moving pieces at Real Madrid, plus serious interest from a number of top European clubs, it’ll be a while before we find out where Varane will be next year. Likeliness - 4/10.
Boubacar Kamara: Similar to the aforementioned, Aurelien Tchouameni, Kamara has been extensively scouted by Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel is a fan of the player for the same reasons as the Monaco youngster. However, I believe he is further down the list of targets, and would only come into play if the prioritised targets were deemed unlikely to come off. Likeliness - 4/10
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Chelsea has held an interest in the young Italian goalkeeper, even reaching out to Milan and his entourage to seek if a deal was possible a few months back. However, with Mendy’s recent performances and other contributing factors in terms of playing time and financial demands, I’d say this deal is as good as dead. Likeliness - 2/10.
Disclaimer: It is very early doors in the summer transfer window (hence the lower ratings at this current time where much can and will change) and as we told you a few weeks back, Chelsea will take their time identifying and pursuing their targets, preferring their old routine of getting most deals done in the latter stages of the window. Between still celebrating their UCL success, plus negotiating a new deal for Thomas Tuchel and a number of other players, a lot will be happening within the Chelsea walls this summer, rest assured. Strap in, it’ll be a fun one.
Written by Dan McCarthy - @MaccaSport