With only a week left of the summer transfer window, let’s see which players could still come and go at Chelsea.
Two wins out of two, five goals and two clean sheets mark a perfect start for Chelsea. The Blues have carried on from where they left off last season to mount a Premier League title challenge.
The club-record €115 million capture of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan has strengthened their claim. The Belgian proved his money’s worth in only 15 minutes against Arsenal on Sunday. If he keeps that up, a first league title since 2017 and a Golden Boot could surely arrive at Stamford Bridge.
But Thomas Tuchel, like any other top manager, is always looking for ways to improve. While happy with his current squad, the German would like another player – ideally a defender – before the transfer window shuts.
So as the transfer deadline day creeps ever closer, let’s see which players could still leave or join Chelsea this summer.
Jules Kounde – In
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helsea’s interest in Jules Kounde is no secret. It’s been out in the open for most of the summer. Trevoh Chalobah may have impressed in defense recently, but Tuchel still wants to add another proven defender to his ranks.
Time is definitely not on the Blues’ side, though. Sevilla won’t sell Kounde in the last few days of this month, meaning Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia must make an offer soon.
Saul Niguez – In
A surprise name in Saul Niguez has cropped up on Chelsea’s radar.
The Atletico Madrid star could reportedly head to Stamford Bridge on loan this season. With Billy Gilmour on loan at Norwich City, Tuchel would like another midfielder. But a deal for Saul could rest on whether Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu, Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater or Tiemoue Bakayoko leave.
Kurt Zouma – Out
The France international fell out of favor under Tuchel last season and hasn’t played a minute of Premier League football this term either, having been benched in Chelsea’s opening two matches.
Zouma is on borrowed time and Kounde’s potential arrival could fast-forward his exit from west London. As per The Athletic, West Ham would pay Chelsea €30 million to sign the defender. But the Hammers are yet to agree on personal terms with Zouma.
Davide Zappacosta – Out
Davide Zappacosta is on course to end a four-year spell with Chelsea by joining Atalanta for a reported €10 million fee.
The right-back has made just 52 appearances for Chelsea since his €25 million arrival from Torino in August 2017. He has spent the last two seasons on loan at Serie A clubs Roma and Genoa.
Ike Ugbo – Out
Despite impressing during pre-season, Ike Ugbo is on course to leave Chelsea.
The 22-year-old is a product of the club’s youth system but never broke into the first team. He has spent the last five seasons out on loan and will now join Genk on a permanent deal. He has arrived in Belgium and, as per Kristof Terreur, will undergo medicals shortly.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – Out
The former Monaco midfielder has never lived up to his €40 million price tag. Since arriving in 2017, Tiemoue Bakayoko has made just 43 appearances for Chelsea and gone out on loan three times.
Now AC Milan, who signed Bakayoko for a loan spell in 2018/19, want him back on a permanent deal. The Frenchman is reportedly willing to take a huge pay cut to return to San Siro.
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