Chelsea are expected to have another big summer at the end of this season as they look to finetune their squad to match the manager’s desires.
Enzo Maresca currently looks set to lead the Blues into next season, and will hope to be backed sufficiently in the transfer market as a result.
Maresca reportedly wants a new goalkeeper between the sticks next season, despite defending his current shot-stoppers in the media this season.
The Blues have already made moves ahead of the summer transfer window, confirming deals for Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon.
There are plenty of talking points at both ends of the pitch though, so The Chelsea Chronicle sat down with transfer insider Graeme Bailey to discuss what can be expected of the Blues at the end of the season.
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Jadon Sancho’s Chelsea future
There is an obligation to buy in Chelsea’s loan for Jadon Sancho, however recent reports have stated doubts over whether they want to go through with it.
“As it stands, Chelsea still believe he will join, but there are mechanisms that are available. If the player doesn’t sign the paperwork, it doesn’t get done. As it stands, the understanding from both sides is that he will go, but there are still quite a few weeks left in the season.
“Not 100% he ends up at Chelsea, but the prevailing opinion from a Chelsea end is that he will become a Chelsea player. There are mechanisms in the deal that mean he could end up back at United.”
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Chelsea’s deals for Dario Essugo and Geovany Quenda
Chelsea have already completed deals to sign talented youngsters Essugo and Quenda as their youth-led project continues.
“Dario will be training with the first team, and they need to assess him, see him in person. The plan at the moment is to bring Andrey Santos back in, but this lad may come in and blow everyone away. A lot of it is in the hands of these players, there’s going to be battles for places in this squad,
“I’m told the Quenda stuff emerged during the Dario talks. United had suspected other clubs would be in for Quenda, and Chelsea have dived in and done it. At the minute, I’m not sure where Chelsea see him, either wing-back or winger. He’s not arriving until next year, Chelsea just thought it was a good deal to do.”
Chelsea’s goalkeeper situation
Neither of Filip Jorgensen or Robert Sanchez have taken their chance at Chelsea this season.
“You would argue there’s more chance of Petrovic or Penders being number one rather than Sanchez or Jorgensen, who are doing themselves no favours at the minute. We know the main thing for Maresca is that he wants a ball-playing goalkeeper.
“Whether Petrovic and Penders can do that isn’t certain, so Chelsea are still doing work on the goalkeepers. Can we rule out that another goalkeeper comes in? Far from it. If Maresca doesn’t like what he sees, we’re back to square one.
“You could argue Chelsea are yet to sign a goalkeeper to suit Maresca’s system, so I think that tells us quite a lot. I just think he’s making it clear, I don’t see Jorgensen or Sanchez being number one.”
Chelsea’s striker targets
Chelsea have been linked with the signing of a number of top targets to provide competition for Nicolas Jackson next season.
“There’s gonna be a striker in, we know that. It’s something we’ve been talking about for well over a year. This should have been addressed a long time ago.
“They will bring a striker in, we know a deal for Osimhen was almost done on the last day of the summer. I wouldn’t 100% rule Osimhen out yet. We know he’s a player this new regime like, we know he’s a player that Maresca approved of in theory, so there’s crumbs there already. We know he’s a Chelsea fan.
“He’s having a fantastic season, people shouldn’t underestimate what he’s done in Turkey.
“Let’s not forget there’s an African Cup of Nations next year, and that is a real concern for Chelsea. If you do go and get an Osimhen, are you going to lose your two strikers. I don’t think that would stop them signing a player from Africa though.
“Sesko is a player they like, Delap is a player they like, they’ve held talks about both and done work. I still wouldn’t rule out the two youngsters, Samu and Conrad Harder. We know they like Samu. Two players they’ve bid for before, and they love them. It really wouldn’t surprise me if it was Samu or Osimhen. “If we’re talking about two strikers coming in to Chelsea at the end of August, it wouldn’t blow me away. Especially if Nkunku leaves, which is a distinct possibility.”
Chelsea’s other transfer priorities
Despite Chelsea having a large squad, there are a number of positions they still feel they need to strengthen ahead of next season.
“Defence. They want a centre-back. Renato Veiga’s situation does point towards a left-sider, a left-back. I think a full-back, depending on Reece James’ situation going forward, do we see a full-back who can play both sides? I wouldn’t rule it out. Obviously Hato we’ve talked about, they’ve looked at. I think a full-back and centre-half are being looked at.
“We know they’re not looking at a right winger. Striker, goalkeeper, centre-back, full-back are the priorities. Another midfielder isn’t being ruled out either.”
Enzo Maresca’s future at Chelsea
Despite an excellent start to life at Chelsea, the feeling around Enzo Maresca is not so positive at this stage of the season.
“I haven’t heard too much pushback. If Chelsea end up finishing outside the top 10, he won’t be there, but will he expect to? Since Christmas, it’s been totally flat, and it’s his job to get them back up there.
“They’re well in the Champions League battle. Because they made such a good start to the season, everyone forgets that Chelsea’s aims were to battle for Champions League places rather than definitely secure one, and they have done.
“If they don’t finish top five they’ve thrown it away, but they’re happy with his man management, they’re happy with his squad. As with every Chelsea manager, it’s a results based business. I think they’re pretty happy with how he’s managing that squad, as they know it’s not easy to manage that squad.
“The players have adapted well, they believe in what he’s trying to do, so they’re pretty happy. The prevailing opinion is that they should finish in the top five, but that’s easier said than done.”
Noni Madueke could leave Chelsea
Despite being Chelsea’s third top scorer this season, the club’s plans could make it difficult for Noni Madueke to remain in West London.
“I think Madueke could be one. When we look at what’s happening with the squad, it won’t be a surprise. They’ve got Estevao coming in, Kendry Paez, Neto has been brilliant, and Jadon Sancho maybe coming in. If Sancho comes in, I don’t see where Madueke fits in here.
Joao Felix’s future after AC Milan loan
Joao Felix is currently on loan from Chelsea after his summer signing, although AC Milan have not really seen the best of him this season.
“Joao Felix is an interesting one. Things started off well at Milan but as you can see he’s not really lighting it up. I think there’s a fair chance that he ends up back. Maybe another loan at best, but they’re not making money on Felix this summer.
“Let’s see how he ends the season, and they know the position Chelsea are in. Do they want him back? Probably not. I’m not convinced he comes back.”