Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea ended the summer transfer window without a midfielder coming through the door to replace Enzo Fernandez, and are looking to strike a pre-agreement that will see them not miss out next year.
The Fernandez saga dragged out throughout the window without any meaningful bid coming in for his services, before Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City secured a British record deal on deadline day.
The Blues thought they were bringing in Lamine Camara before Monaco pulled the plug on the deal in the final minutes of the window, however he was not their first-choice throughout the summer.
With Enzo Fernandez gone and Lamine Camara staying at Monaco, who should partner Moises Caicedo in midfield this season?
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
That calls for a concern truly but they are midfielders not defenders. Barcelona once had Xavi and Iniesta
The deadline was for £120m, they came with £125m. He also made it clear after the ‘deadline’ that he didn’t want to play here anymore
Chelsea looking to confirm pre-agreement for Alex Scott in January
This was very much Alex Scott. Bournemouth rejected a number of bids from Chelsea for his services throughout the summer.
With his contract now in its last two years, the Blues are looking to act quickly to secure his signing. Simon Phillips has stated that Chelsea have told the player’s agents they intend to agree a deal in January for him to join next summer.
He said: “Chelsea are considering making a move to sign Alex Scott from Bournemouth in January on a pre-agreement for the midfielder to join in the summer.
“There has not been any direct approach to Bournemouth yet on this particular subject, but our sources understand that they have informed the player’s agent of this possible intention. Scott was keen to join Chelsea this summer, he was convinced by Xabi Alonso.”
AFC Bournemouth Training Session
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Chelsea’s short-term solution to Fernandez exit
Whatever happens, it looks unlikely there will be anything Xabi Alonso can do about his midfield until the window opens again, despite brief links to free agent Georginio Wijnaldum.
It looks as if the answer for now is going to be Reece James, who the boss believes suits that position better than the wing-back role in his current system.
There will be a reliance on him and Romeo Lavia to stay fit, a feat they have struggled to manage regularly throughout their Chelsea careers.
All eyes will be on Moises Caicedo’s fitness ahead of the game against Arsenal this weekend after he was forced off injured against Brighton last time out.