It is fair to say that Chelsea have had some success shopping at Manchester City in the past.
In 2023, the Blues signed Cole Palmer from their Premier League rivals and he has proven to be one of their best ever buys.
Palmer’s positioning against Arsenal on Tuesday was questioned, while he has had a couple of injuries that have really affected him this season. Still, there is no denying his ability.
START, BENCH, SELL: Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Reece James
Chelsea's top three players, but you can only start one! This should be interesting 👀
Cole Palmer of Chelsea (L) celebrates scoring
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea could now try another raid on City following Palmer’s success in west London.
Cole Palmer with the Player of the Match award after Manchester City beat Sevilla in the Super Cup.
Photo by Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Chelsea likely to return for Nico O’Reilly
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea made an unsuccessful enquiry for Nico O’Reilly in the last summer transfer window.
Heading into the next one, they still appear to have an interest in the City and England defender.
Phillips has claimed on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that it is “very likely” that Chelsea make another move for O’Reilly in the near future.
If O’Reilly does go on to join the Blues in the summer, the left-back and Palmer will not be the only former City players at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Delap, Tosin Adarabioyo and Romeo Lavia also spent time at the Etihad. Last season, Chelsea had Jadon Sancho, too, a former City academy star.
Admit it, you miss Nicolas Jackson 😢
Liam Delap has been a huge disappointment!
Liam Delap's and Nicolas Jackson's stats
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images/Kevin Voigt
Nico O'Reilly of Manchester City forms a defensive wall with Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov
Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Nico O’Reilly could succeed Marc Cucurella at Chelsea
O’Reilly is quite a versatile footballer but has mostly played at left-back this season. It means the 20-year-old could end up replacing Marc Cucurella.
Cucurella was excellent against West Ham United last weekend and is one of the best left-backs in the world. He is not someone Chelsea will want to sell.
However, despite recently signing a new contract, he will be a free agent in 2028. Cucurella’s deal saw him earn a pay rise but not an extension in length.
According to Phillips, there are some doubts surrounding his future at Chelsea.
Ultimately, everything is pointing towards O’Reilly potentially replacing Cucurella at Stamford Bridge one day.
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