The fluidity between Chelsea and Strasbourg has always been under the microscope and it will be even more so now, as BlueCo are pushing to sign Tylel Tati from FC Nantes.
Obviously, both clubs are owned by BlueCo and it has seen many players and now, managers, operate for both teams. Liam Rosenior swapped clubs in January, and Strasbourg have three Chelsea players on loan.
David Datro Fofana, Aaron Anselmino and Mike Penders remain on loan with the Ligue 1 club, and Kendry Paez was there before joining River Plate in January. Emanuel Emegha will join Chelsea this summer.
One of many problems on the pitch at the moment 🤦♂️
Chelsea's Wesley Fofana
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Ben Chilwell has made the opposite move, resurrecting his career in Ligue 1. It must also be noted that neither set of supporters are impressed with their ownership, yet the connection between them remains.
BlueCo wasted no time in making Tylel Tati move on weekend
Now, French site BUT! claim BlueCo representatives were in attendance at Nantes on the weekend as Strasbourg came from behind to beat Tati’s side 3-2. Tati, 18, played the entire 90 minutes on Sunday.
Nantes' Tylel Tati.
Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP via Getty Images
Back in January, Chelsea made a £26m bid for the teenage defender having missed out on Jeremy Jacquet to Liverpool. But Nantes rejected the move, given the bid came so late in the January transfer window.
Now, reports say that BlueCo are back in for Tati – but to sign him for Strasbourg. It is claimed BlueCo ‘wasted no time’ in moving for Tati as well as his Nantes teammate Matthis Abline, who scored on Sunday.
Tati is a real talent, but not what Chelsea need right now
This summer, Chelsea and BlueCo must sort out their centre-back options. Levi Colwill is due to return to fitness in the coming weeks, while Axel Disasi and Anselmino will return to Chelsea after their loans.
That trio join a list of centre-backs comprising of Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Mamadou Sarr, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato, and Tosin Adarabioyo. Yet, Chelsea want a defender.
Is Tosin the answer to Rosenior’s problems? 👊
Chelsea are third-worst in the Premier League for conceding from crosses.
The Blues need to make a few tricky decisions. Clearly, that is far too many options at centre-back and a few need to be sold. Reports claim Chelsea are open to the sale of Chalobah, Tosin and Badiashile.
Disasi is likely to join West Ham permanently if the Hammers stay up. Is Tati the kind of signing Chelsea need at centre-back? What is lacking in defence is an experienced leader, a Thiago Silva-type player.
So, while Tati is a real talent and could go on to become a France international, Chelsea don’t need another young defender. They need a centre-back that can take control of Rosenior’s leaky defence.
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