Although Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga recently told reporters that the team’s goal is to push for more titles, there are still question marks surrounding the club.
Reports out of England suggest 225 million euros has been made available to manager Thomas Tuchel for as many as six signings
Chelsea were shrouded in uncertainty following the departure of former owner Roman Abramovich, and it remains unclear what will life will look like for the London club with Todd Boehly now in charge. Although Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga recently told reporters that the team’s goal is to push for more titles, there are still question marks surrounding the club. Reports out of England suggest 225 million euros has been made available to manager Thomas Tuchel for as many as six signings, but as of yet, no new players have been brought in. Several names have been linked with the Blues, with Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Richarlison (Everton), Raphinha (Leeds) and Antony (Ajax) the most likely additions. Sterling would be a welcome addition as Chelsea currently lacks English talent (Mason Mount, Reece James and little else).
Boehly himself will take over Marina Granovskaia’s role
The departure of Russian executive Marina Granovskaia, Abramovich’s right-hand woman for the last 12 years and critical figure when it came to the transfer market, leaves a vacuum in Chelsea’s executive structure. Boehly himself will take over her role, but it remains to be seen what is footballing knowledge is like. What is clear is that Tuchel needs reinforcements following the departure of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen and the possible exits of Marcos Alonso, Cesar Azpilicueta and Romelu Lukaku. While names like Kai Havertz have been brought in to help rejuvenate the squad, replacing ageing players like 37-year-old Thiago Silva won’t be easy either. Rudiger and Christensen were two key figures, but both opted against signing new deals with the club. The German has since signed for Real Madrid, while Christensen is expected to land at Barcelona, leaving a big hole in Chelsea’s backline.
Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus) has been mentioned as a possible addition, while Saul Niguez will also leave and return to Atletico Madrid following the end of his loan spell. The exits don’t stop there as Lukaku, who fell out with Tuchel, will rejoin Inter on loan after signing with the Blues on a five-year contract last summer. Meanwhile, Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are just waiting for Barcelona to clear up their financial situation before working with Xavi. There’s also uncertainty in goal, as Kepa told MARCA he wants to play more despite Eduoard Mendy establishing himself as the starter.