We have actually been seeing quite a few Chelsea links with new centre-midfielders this summer, and some quite surprising names coming up.
Declan Rice was always reported by very strong sources that he is Chelsea’s main target in the middle, and Thomas Tuchel really wants him. But apparently, he looks near impossible to sign this summer due to West Ham demanding too much money for him.
Then, we have also seen names such as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Matheus Nunes linked with Chelsea recently. Today though, all the noise and drama is surrounding links with Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong, who is being touted by local Barcelona media as being a Chelsea target this summer and they are entering the race to sign him.
Chelsea have communicated to Barça that they would like to go up against Manchester United for Frenkie De Jong.
– @relevo
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) July 7, 2022
I’m not sure how true all of these links and rumours are, but one thing for me is pretty clear, and that is if we are going to be seeing a new midfielder arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer, then I believe at least three will need to leave, and some will have to go on loan.
Chelsea have Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher back in the ranks to start with, so space will either needed to be made for them, or loan/permanent moves away will need to be decided on.
Then you have Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and N’Golo Kante. That’s potentially seven midfielders without even including Mason Mount, who for me, must play as a centre-midfielder rather than an attacker.
I think if Chelsea are to bring in another midfielder as well, then a few of these will have to be moved on, and there are no current signs of that happening bar perhaps Barkley, who I can only see moving on finally.
And of course, both Kante and Jorginho only have a year left on their contracts so there are some doubts there.
