Regarding how Chelsea moved during the January transfer window. They aren’t expected to sign many players in the summer transfer window. Because they have enough reinforcements in the squad.
The Blues will definitely announce Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach before the season ends. As a result, the Argentine will determine some of their new signings.
Of course, the West London club were poor in all competitions this campaign. As they won’t be playing any European competitions in the 2023-2024 campaign.
However, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are expected to continue investing in the club. Because they wouldn’t want to challenge Manchester City next season.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham will be busy throughout the summer window. But the Blues already have enough players.
According to several reports, Chelsea are most likely to sign a goalkeeper, as Edouard Mendy or Kepa Arrizabalaga may leave. Particularly the Senegalese goalie.
Also, they would want to sign a striker. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to leave for Barcelona. And they would definitely sign a defensive midfielder.
Of course, Enzo Fernández needs a standard defensive midfielder beside him next season. And they already have ball-playing No.6 on their radar ahead of the next campaign.
On the contrary, the West London club is most likely to sell at least 10 first-team players in the summer transfer window. So as to have enough space in the squad.
It’s believed that Graham Potter failed at Chelsea because he couldn’t manage the players. The Blues currently have 33 first-team players, which is too much to control.
However, Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly ready to trim the squad to maybe 25 players. Therefore, he will be able to have his own starting XI at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentine gaffer is no stranger to the Premier League. He has been at Tottenham and Southampton. So, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali believe in him.
They believe he has the ability to challenge Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool next season. But many players are expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Chelsea players who could leave in the summer
- Hakim Ziyech
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Ethan Ampadu
- Baba Rahman
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek
- Callum Hudson-Odoi
- Mateo Kovacic
- Edouard Mendy
- Christian Pulisic
- Mason Mount
- Malang Sarr
- Kai Havertz
- Kalidou Koulibaly
- Marc Cucurella
Even though the West London club won’t be very active in the upcoming transfer window. They are definitely going to sell some of the aforementioned players.
Selling the above named players doesn’t affect Chelsea. They still have more than 20 brilliant and talented players in the first-team. Therefore, they are still well-equipped.
In the same vein, the Blues already have many players on their radar. Because they wouldn’t want to sign a goalkeeper, a striker, or a midfielder.
Mauricio Pochettino is an attacking-minded coach, and the club have enough attackers in the squad. As a result, they won’t be signing any wingers in the summer.
Players Chelsea are most likely to sign in the summer transfer window
- Declan Rice – midfielder (West Ham United)
- Manuel Ugarte – midfielder (Sporting CP)
- Moisés Caicedo – midfielder (Brighton Albion)
- Victor Osimhen – striker (Napoli)
- André Onana – goalkeeper (Inter Milan)
- Mike Maignan – goalkeeper (AC Milan)
- Roméo Lavia – midfielder (Southampton)
- Dušan Vlahović – striker (Juventus)
- David Raya – goalkeeper (Brentford)
On the other hand, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali can sign some players in the summer, without spending a dime. There are numerous talented free agents.
Even though Mauricio Pochettino will be the one deciding which player to sign in the summer. He can get many experienced players from these free agents.
Who are the free agent players Chelsea should sign in the summer transfer window?
1. İlkay Gündoğan – midfielder (Manchester City)
7.46 expected goals
4.36 expected assists
1.8 shots per 90 minutes
1.8 key passes
88% pass accuracy
The German midfielder hasn’t signed a contract extension with Manchester City. He has a massive possibility of leaving the Citizens at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing him for free. Therefore, Chelsea can join the race to get his signature.
Mateo Kovacic doesn’t seem to be in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. As a result, İlkay Gündoğan seems like an ideal option to replace him.
The Citizens midfielder may be 32-year-old. However, he averages 4.36 expected assists per 90 minutes. Of course, he has the ability to boost the team’s display.
2. Marcus Thuram – striker (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
15.43 expected goals
0.4 goals
3.1 shots per 90 minutes
3.05 expected assists
75% pass accuracy
1.0 key passes
The West London club almost signed the 25-year-old in the January transfer window. However, they later missed getting the player’s signature.
Meanwhile, Marcus Thuram has announced that he will be leaving Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer. Which means he’s now a free agent.
Since the Blues are hell-bent on signing a striker to balance their squad. They can easily bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge without paying a transfer fee.
Frankly, Thuram remains one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe’s top-5 leagues. As a result, he has the ability to succeed in the Premier League at Chelsea.
3. Houssem Aouar – midfielder (Lyon)
1.07 expected goals
0.48 expected assists
0.7 shots per 90 minutes
0.3 key passes
82% pass accuracy
The 24-year-old Algerian midfielder is expected to leave Lyon at the end of the season. Despite his versatility, he will be leaving as a free agent.
Chelsea will offload some midfielders next season, particularly Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Englishman is close to joining AC Milan in Serie A.
Therefore, Houssem Aouar is a good option to equip the midfield. At least, he’s versatile enough to play every available position in the midfield.
However, the Algeria international is reportedly close to joining AS Roma in Serie A. Nevertheless, the Blues can still get his signature for free next campaign.
4. Jefferson Lerma – midfielder (Bournemouth)
0.5 key passes
82% pass accuracy
1.4 interceptions
1.3 tackles
56% total duels won
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder is most likely to leave the Cherries on a free transfer in the summer transfer window. But the Blues can comfortably sign him.
Obviously, Chelsea are thirsty for a defensive midfielder next season. Because Mauricio Pochettino would want to have a balanced and composed starting XI.
Despite the fact that Jefferson Lerma may not be as good as Declan Rice or Manuel Ugarte. He has the defensive ability to command the midfield.
At the same time, he has Premier League experience. As a result, he doesn’t have any reason to struggle at Chelsea, if they sign him for free.
5. Evan Ndicka – centre-back (Eintracht Frankfurt)
1.1 interceptions
0.8 tackles
4.7 clearances per 90 minutes
86% pass accuracy
0.5 dribbled past
The 23-year-old Frenchman’s contract with the Bundesliga side ends on June 30th. As a result, he’s expected to leave the club during the summer transfer window.
Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are ready to build the club around young players. Of course, Evan Ndicka will obviously be a massive addition to the squad.
Ndicka averages 6.81 Sofascore ratings for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga this season. Despite his age, he’s indeed a brilliant and reliable centre-back.
Of course, Kalidou Koulibaly may leave in the summer. And the Frenchman looks like an ideal replacement, as regards his defensive stats.
6. Youri Tielemans – midfielder (Leicester City)
2.47 expected goals
3.12 expected assists
1.0 shots per 90 minutes
0.9 key passes
82% pass accuracy
Many Premier League clubs are reportedly monitoring the Belgian situation at Leicester City. Because his contract with the Foxes expires at the end of June 2023.
In all fairness, Youri Tielemans ticks all the boxes as a midfielder, particularly offensively. He has the capacity to build the team’s tempo from the midfield.
With Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek most likely leave in the summer. The West London club can get the Belgian for free.
Mauricio Pochettino may want Tielemans at Chelsea. Because he has many things in common with Dele Ali, his offensiveness makes him a special player.
7. Wilfried Zaha – attacker (Crystal Palace)
6.54 expected goals
2.4 shots per 90 minutes
2.95 expected assists
1.0 key passes
81% pass accuracy
46% successful dribbles
Unbelievably, the Ivorian contract with the Eagles expires on June 30, 2023. Which means he’s most likely to leave the club as a free agent in the summer.
Wilfried Zaha is one of the most consistent attackers in the Premier League. He has single-handedly terrorized many defenders for many years at Crystal Palace.
Even though Chelsea have brilliant and talented attackers in the squad. The Ivorian’s attacking prowess is second to none in the league, which is why the Blues need him.
With the possible exit of Kai Havertz, Zaha has the ability to replace the German youngster. Todd Boehly can sign him for free, without any transfer fee.
8. Adrien Rabiot – midfielder (Juventus)
5.77 expected goals
1.79 expected assists
1.4 shots per 90 minutes
1.0 key passes
83% pass accuracy
This is another versatile and experienced midfielder who is able to replace Mateo Kovacic. If he actually leaves Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window.
Adrien Rabiot almost joined Manchester United in January. However, he reportedly demanded more wages than what the club offered.
The 28-year-old Frenchman will leave Juventus in the summer. He didn’t extend his contract with the Old Lady, but he hasn’t made any decision on his future.
Rabiot has been one of the most talented central midfielders in Europe’s top-5 leagues. He delivers in every season, regardless of the struggle within the team.
9. Jonathan Bamba – attacker (Lille)
7.78 expected goals
2.1 shots per 90 minutes
6.20 expected assists
1.3 key passes
84% pass accuracy
40% successful dribbles
Apparently, Chelsea suffered many injury woes this season. However, they wouldn’t want to battle with another set of back-to-back injuries next season.
Therefore, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali can sign Jonathan Bamba for free as a backup. Of course, he’s one of the most dangerous attackers in Ligue 1.
Reportedly, his contract extension talks with Lille didn’t go through. And his deal expires at the end of June, so he will be leaving the Ligue 1 side in the summer.
Bamba isn’t expected to play ahead of Mykhailo Mudryk or Noni Madueke. Nevertheless, he’s an ideal backup option for the West London club.
10. Roberto Firmino – striker (Liverpool)
5.23 expected goals
0.4 goals
1.6 shots per 90 minutes
1.94 expected assists
80% pass accuracy
0.8 key passes
This may sound awkward, but the 31-year-old Brazilian central-forward has a lot to offer. Even though he’s leaving Liverpool as a free agent in the summer. He can still succeed at Chelsea.
Roberto Firmino is up there with the many consistent striker in the Premier League. He has never failed to deliver in a season at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
The Brazilian international is a perfect option to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He can comfortably contribute goals to the team’s performance.
Despite missing many matches for Liverpool as a result of injuries. He managed to score 10 Premier League goals for the Reds this season. Frankly, he can help the Blues.