Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Chelsea have done their job in the transfer market this summer. If the Blues entered the Premier League season with the squad they have, Xabi Alonso would surely be satisfied.
But there’s always room for more. This is Chelsea we are talking about; it would be no surprise if the Blues re-entered the market and made another signing or two before the transfer deadline on September 1.
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City
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For now, it appears Chelsea are focusing on sales with Enzo Fernandez’s future still under the microscope despite City failing to meet BlueCo’s deadline. Plenty of others need to be sold in the next fortnight.
But Chelsea are now set to miss out on one player they were still targeting. Cole Palmer has Morgan Rogers for company, but he is expected to start with Palmer. There is a lack of cover in the no.10 position.
Fabrizio Romano reports Dortmund are set to strike £27m deal
Bundesliga giants Dortmund have struck a deal worth £27m with add-ons included to sign Greek talent Giannis Konstantelias from Super League side PAOK. He was in Dortmund on Sunday and a deal is done.
Romano posted on X: “Borussia Dortmund have agreed deal to sign Giannīs Kōnstantelias, here we go! Documents signed between clubs. Fee worth €32m add-ons included and 15% sell-on clause to PAOK.”
PAOK V Beveren Friendly Football Game
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It comes after Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Konstantelias was the subject of a three-horse race this month. He claimed Dortmund, Juventus and Chelsea had all thrown their hat into the ring to sign him.
But with Chelsea focusing on selling players, perhaps they have allowed the Greek star to evade their grasp. Konstantelias is now set to sign a long-term deal with Dortmund, despite large PAOK protests.
Why Konstantelias would have been perfect cover for Palmer
The win over Sociedad told Chelsea fans that Xabi Alonso was planning to use a 3-4-2-1 system when the season starts. Even more reason for the Blues to bring in a spare no.10, with Palmer and Rogers starting.
Beyond the duo, they lack attacking midfielders. Fernandez, obviously, can play further up the pitch but the Argentine might not be a Chelsea player by the end of the season. Chelsea needed a back-up option.
Xabi Alonso on Marco Palestra
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Konstantelias would have been ideal. He would have joined Chelsea knowing that he might not start week in, week out, but would get plenty of game time. It would’ve given Alonso another option off the bench.
Instead, if Palmer or Rogers are unavailable at any point during the season, Alonso is going to have to alter the entire formation and use wingers. Naturally, Rogers and Palmer are the club’s only 10s.
With Palmer’s groin letting him down last season, and the load taken on by Rogers in the last 12 months, cover in attacking midfield is required. Konstantelias would have surely been happy to provide that.