Chelsea have been very quiet in the transfer window this summer. Gone are the days when they’d outspend their rivals to secure the best talent.
New manager Maurizio Sarri has already said that he’s not interested in the transfer business and has said it’s for others to decide, but his hand could be forced, especially if first team players like Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard and Willian leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
That’s the outgoings though and Chelsea have already signed Jorginho this summer. Here are six others who could join the Italian at Stamford Bridge before the end of the window.
Jack Butland
Chelsea could be on the hunt for a new goalkeeper this summer if Thibaut Courtois leaves the club and England international Butland will certainly be looked at. He was relegated with Stoke at the end of last season and will be available for a cheaper fee, however the Potters will be hard to negotiate with. His tears after Stoke’s relegation was confirmed signalled that his time at the club was up and he’ll be looked at by a few clubs this summer.
Odds on joining Chelsea this summer: 5/2
Leon Bailey
With both Willian and Eden Hazard linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, Maurizio Sarri might be keen on bringing Leon Bailey to the club. The Bayer Leverkusen winger has interested Chelsea before, but opted for the Bundesliga club and, after impressing in Germany, he could be set for a move to the Premier League after all. He won’t be cheap, but money from the sales of some of their players could be reinvested in him.
Odds on joining Chelsea this summer: 4/1
Christian Pulisic
Like Bailey, Pulisic could also be touted as a replacement for Willian or Hazard, although Chelsea will face stiff competition from a host of other top Premier League clubs for the American teenager. He’s a player full of potential, while the hype surrounding him has been fairly similar to Hazard’s prior to him joining Chelsea. It would be a risk for him to join Chelsea, but Sarri is known for giving youngsters opportunities.
Odds on joining Chelsea this summer: 9/1
Kasper Schmeichel
Schmeichel is another who’s being tipped as a replacement for Courtois in goal and he wouldn’t be a bad option for the Blues at all. He is, of course, a Premier League winning goalkeeper with Leicester and also has Champions League experience, but the Foxes have no obligation to sell and he could be slightly more expensive than Butland. Chelsea could use international teammate Andreas Christensen as a mediator in the deal. He’d be a good option for Chelsea in goal and would fit right in to their dressing room.
Odds on joining Chelsea this summer: 4/7
Jan Oblak
The third goalkeeper on this list, but also the most expensive. Oblak has a release clause in his contract at £89 million, which means that Chelsea would have to stump up a world record fee for a goalkeeper for the Slovenian. He is however, an excellent keeper, and Chelsea do have a past of signing players from Atletico Madrid. Although, both Felipe Luis and Diego Costa left Stamford Bridge to reunite with Diego Simeone after a short period of time. They won’t want a third player to join that list.
Odds on joining Chelsea this summer: 13/2
Anthony Martial
If Martial does leave Manchester United this summer, then Chelsea is a very likely destination, but the Blues will face stiff competition from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The Frenchman wants to leave Old Trafford, but the club have no interest in selling unless a significant bid is made. United are looking for a fee in the region of £85 million, which isn’t impossible for a club like Chelsea if they sell Hazard and Willian, nor is it impossible for Bayern, although the Germany heavyweights have ruled themselves out unless United lower their demands.
Odds on joining Chelsea this summer: 9/2