Despite showing signs that they potentially could earlier in the season, Chelsea have not competed with Liverpool on the pitch this term.
Liverpool look set to win the Premier League title, while Chelsea are fighting to come fourth. There is a big gap between the two.
In the summer, though, the two English giants could go head-to-head in the transfer window.
Chelsea are interested in Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, as are Liverpool, but the 21-year-old is not the only left-back the pair are targeting.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Chelsea and Liverpool both interested in Fulham’s Antonee Robinson
This season, Chelsea have scouted Antonee Robinson, who also appears to be on Liverpool’s radar.
According to CaughtOffside, out of the two, it is the latter whose interest in the player is currently stronger.
Whoever signs Robinson this summer will have to pay a fair bit of money, with the same outlet claiming that he could cost around €50m (£41.8m).
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As things stand, then, Liverpool look like the more likely team, though Chelsea should really be pushing for the Fulham star just as much as their Premier League rivals.
As well as Robinson, Chelsea and Liverpool could battle for Rafael Leao, too, with the Reds now needing to think about life after Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian’s contract expires at the end of the season, meaning that there is a real possibility of him leaving Anfield this summer.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca could lose it if Chelsea miss out on Antonee Robinson
Enzo Maresca has already been left short-handed this term, with the club failing to sign a new striker in January.
It has left the Chelsea manager with a bit of a dilemma following injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu. Pedro Neto has had to play up front in a couple of games despite not being a centre-forward.
Right now, Maresca also has a bit of an issue at left-back. With both Renato Veiga and Ben Chilwell leaving the club on loan during the last transfer window, Marc Cucurella is currently the only natural left-back in his squad.
Ultimately, Chelsea may have to buy a new left-back in the summer, with Veiga thriving at Juventus as a centre-half. The Portuguese may not want to return to Stamford Bridge or play on the left side of defence again.
Considering everything, then, if the Blues miss out on a left-back like Robinson, who has registered 10 assists in the Premier League this season, and leave Maresca short-handed again, the 45-year-old is not going to be happy. Going an entire campaign with just Cucurella will not suffice.