Chelsea is still in search of a sporting director. Christoph Freund looked set to be the man in charge of a new era, but his swift U-turn forced the club to look at other candidates.
Paul Mitchell is reportedly waiting in the wings if formally approached. Luis Campos is a fan favourite, with Tim Steidten another wildcard option.
Whoever comes in has plenty of work to do to revamp the current Chelsea squad if they want to compete for the Premier League title again. The Premier League is seeing new levels of investment, with multiple squads strengthening. The best teams are getting better, and Chelsea is in danger of losing a top-four berth if squad issues aren’t addressed quickly.
We’ve compiled a list of five positions (in no particular order) that Graham Potter and his new sporting director need to address in the upcoming transfer windows. Each position has two options — the obvious choice, and a wildcard.
Here’s Chelsea’s to-do list for the next winter and summer transfer windows.
- Goalkeeper
The obvious choice – Robert Sánchez
Many fans are calling for Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sánchez to follow Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge.
Sánchez has a strong goal presence athletically. His height is about two meters. Height and the probability of goalkeepers claiming crosses are unrelated, but Sánchez’s aggressive nature in these situations is well suited by his imposing stature.
Sánchez is one of the most aggressive and effective goalkeepers in the Premier League at catching high balls from corners, which is something Chelsea has severely lacked from set pieces recently.
The wildcard – Mike Maignan
Gabriel Slonina is on his way to Stamford Bridge in January, but throwing the 18-year-old into Chelsea’s first team games immediately could prove to be overwhelming for the American.
Mike Maignan, on the other hand, could be an attainable option. H’s positioning and fast reflexes are the two main factors that make him such an effective shot-stopper. He has good footwork and cuts off angles efficiently. Because of his quick feet, he can make incredible reaction saves from crosses and close shots.
The Frenchman can parry and punch challenging strikes from long distances, and seldom spills any balls into the danger zone. Maignan is not as aggressive as sweeper keepers like Alisson and Ederson, but his judgment and reading of the game are astounding.
Maignan recently moved to AC Milan, but he could be a cheaper option compared to Sanchez, with Brighton notorious for holding out for big fees.
- Defensive midfielder
The obvious choice – Declan Rice
Rice is a defensive-minded player who excels at gaining possession of the ball and defending his team. He covers a lot of ground and consistently makes tackles and interceptions.
Strong in the tackle and aggressive in the air, his two-footedness allows him to feint left and right as well as pivot and chase in either direction if an opponent attempts to knock the ball past him and outpace him. He has the immensely valuable ability to delay attacks, enabling teammates to make recovery runs and reestablish their team’s structure.
He is particularly skilled at counter-pressing because of his anticipation, athleticism, and ball-winning skills. He frequently recovers the ball early after losing possession before passing it to a more offensive teammate.
It’s quite surprising how — considering the amount of money Todd Boehly was willing to pay — Chelsea didn’t make a move earlier for a defensive midfielder, especially Rice, who has long been linked with a move to the Blues.
Of course, we are yet to see Denis Zakaria in action, who could prove to be a success, but Rice is the obvious option here, and someone who is becoming more attainable with each passing window.
The wildcard – Kouadio Koné
In the modern game, single pivot-capable midfielders have emerged as one of a team’s most prized assets. Everyone is seeking out players who can carry out the same duties as Manchester City’s Rodri and Liverpool’s Fabinho in midfield, but there aren’t many available for a reasonable price.
Kouadio Koné has played a key part for Mönchengladbach this season as a number “6,” but the Frenchman is also capable of playing farther forward in a more advanced role as an “8.” Koné has often played on the left side of a midfield three, which could see him pair well with two other midfielders in any of Potter’s systems.
Even at 6 feet 1, Koné is extremely agile, great on the ball, and able to play in small spaces thanks to his superb dribbling skills. He is a standout performer as a right-footer with excellent versatility.
Koné is undoubtedly at ease playing with his back to the opponent’s goal. Although it would be an exaggeration to describe the midfielder as “press-resistant” considering his occasional errors in build-up play or lack of judgment, the 21-year-old’s body orientation is almost always correct in deeper areas of the pitch.
Koné is not only versatile and secure with the ball, but he also excels while in possession, albeit less so in a single pivot. The defensive midfielder can move quickly and with great energy throughout the field, tracking various players and making interceptions.
Koné is skilled at stepping out to occupy more advanced positions to stop opposition attacks. However, he needs to improve when he does this as a lone 6. Koné has occasionally been caught off guard by poor timing, which has allowed the opposition to play into the space behind him and start counter-attacks.
Koné would be a good fit for a squad that uses a double pivot in midfield or a midfield trio. He is still unable to regularly contribute as a lone holding midfielder for a top team that controls the ball for the majority of a game. However, Koné shines both offensively and defensively, and in a Potter system, could excel for Chelsea.
- Right back/Right wing-back
The obvious choice – Denzel Dumfries
Reece James is one of Chelsea’s most important assets, and arguably their most creative player. The team look toothless when he isn’t on the pitch, but with so many games, Chelsea cannot become overdependent on him.
Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries is a frequent threat down the right-hand side, actively running up and down the field. He plays with an offensive mindset, and some of his runs have even ended deep within the opponent’s penalty area.
With the exception of chasing his runner or shielding his right centre-back, Dumfries stays in wide positions within his defensive half, indicating his status as an outright wing-back looking to receive progressive passes to start an attack. Dumfries often receives the ball higher than his opposite number, showing he is more actively involved in Inter’s build-up. The Dutchman also gets into highly advanced parts of the field when the ball is on the opposite side of the field, and frequently attacks the penalty area for any crosses coming his way.
Dumfries’ attacking output is arguably his greatest asset, but how is he defensively? Dumfries stops opposition players by using his power, speed, and agility. He can swiftly close down and cut off passing lanes because of his speed and athletic build, which improves his odds of dispossessing the opponent.
His aggressive style of play, which frequently places him high in the half of the opposition, is also the biggest weakness in his game. Due to this, there are only two alternatives left for the team: either Dumfries must track back swiftly to prevent the opponent from generating an overload on his side, or the right-sided centre-back or midfielder must move over to fill the void. The risk of being taken by surprise during transition always looms because of Dumfries’ aggressive nature.
The wildcard – Dion Rankine
If Chelsea is looking for a backup to Reece James, they don’t need to go too far from home. Dion Rankine is another player in a long list of top-tier right-backs from the Chelsea academy. There isn’t much data or video available on the 19-year-old, but judging by the performances of James, Lamptey, and now Livramento, there’s no reason why Rankine shouldn’t get a chance to feature in smaller games.
Rankine is a lightning-fast, attacking player who is familiar with the right wing-back role. His versatility allows him to play on both flanks, and he finished the 2019/20 season at left wing-back.
Graham Potter is known to improve young players, and there are arguably none with more potential at Cobham than their right backs. Potter is already familiar with Lamptey, and Rankine’s profile is not dissimilar.
Dumfries and Kyle Walker-Peters are expensive options that would demand game time, and you could argue that Livramento is better than both. If Chelsea is willing to spend upwards of £30 million, they would be better off triggering Livramento’s buy-back clause while offering Rankine a chance.
- Central midfielder
The obvious choice – Frenkie de Jong
Chelsea may not have given up their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong just yet. The Dutchman is a popular option among the Chelsea hierarchy, and while it’s clear he’s happy at Barcelona, you can never tell what will happen in football.
Chelsea could face a midfield exodus next season, so it makes sense to bring in another central midfielder along with a defensive one. Frenkie de Jong needs no introduction; he has been playing Champions League football since his days at Ajax, impressing everyone with his displays at the heart of his team’s midfield.
De Jong’s technical and tactical skills make him a pivotal component of any high-level midfield, particularly one positioned to control possession and get past strong defensive blocks. He can defend, hold, and progress possession and feels at ease playing one-touch football. Additionally, he excels while playing out from the back, in the build-up phases, in the middle, and is effective in the final third.
Barcelona can move the ball into the final third swiftly thanks to his ability to penetrate both defensive and midfield lines. He can lure opponents in with the precision of his release before redirecting the ball into the space that has just been left open.
He’s also gotten better defensively. He originally had trouble making recovery runs, but his work rate has improved – something which needs to be at the top level in a Premier League like Chelsea’s. Additionally, he has a tendency to act rashly during transitions, which is problematic when playing against quick and nimble opponents. However, there’s no doubting de Jong’s quality, and he would instantly elevate Chelsea’s midfield. The price, however, is a stumbling block, as would be his wages.
The wildcard – Enzo Fernández
You might have seen Enzo Fernández’s name making the rounds on Twitter recently, and for good reason. The 21-year-old Argentine is a hot prospect that shined in his international debut versus Honduras this week.
When Enzo Fernández broke through, he was frequently used as a deep-lying midfielder, in charge of controlling the tempo, breaking up play, and recycling possession. Fernández keeps the ball well and always makes himself available to receive a pass. Additionally, he is quite press-resistant and at ease receiving the ball in confined areas.
Despite his excellent performance in deep-lying positions, Fernández has evolved into a genuinely all-around midfielder in 2022, adding goals and assists to the less-noticed aspects of his game.
Fernández is still raw, but he’s likely to become one of Europe’s breakout stars over the course of the season and during the World Cup. He seems destined for a shrewd move to a club like Real Madrid, so Chelsea could do well to move for him before they experience another Tchouaméni-type situation.
- Winger/playmaker
The obvious choice – Rafael Leão
After initially struggling for form and game time, Leão has become one of Europe’s most touted wingers. With Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic almost certain to depart in upcoming windows, Leao is someone Chelsea have their eye on having already verbally enquired about him, only to see their approach rejected by Milan’s technical director Paolo Maldini.
Leão finished his debut campaign in Italy with six goals and two assists. His first Serie A goal, when he dribbled past three defenders to score, stands out as a specific personal high point from his rookie campaign.
Similar results were achieved by the Portuguese attacker in the 2020–21 Serie A season when he scored six goals in 30 games while also dishing out six assists. He also found the net once in seven Europa League outings. Leão continued to switch between the left wing and centre-forward positions throughout the campaign.
Despite being 1.88 m tall, Leão’s struggle to perform as a typical centre-forward was starting to become more evident. The young Portuguese player showed that he was more effective when he used his speed and technical ability to dribble past opponents and make runs into the box rather than serving as the focal point of the attack.
Another option is Christopher Nkunku. However, both players would demand monstrous price tags that could see Chelsea splash out another multiple-hundred-million transfer window. Leão is still breaking through, and while it is easy to get carried away with the hype of a young Portuguese attacker, it may not be the wisest decision to spend upwards of 100 million on him just yet.
The wildcard – Ousmane Dembélé
Thomas Tuchel called Ousmane Dembélé the most talented player he had ever coached. Simply put, Dembélé, when fit, is world-class. The Frenchman seems to have put his fitness and attitude issues behind him and has been in red-hot form for Xavi’s side this year.
Despite sustaining several injuries during his tenure at Barcelona, Dembélé is still among the quickest players in La Liga and all of Europe, reaching high speeds of 34 km per hour. He makes use of the fact that he is quicker than practically every full-back and centre-back in La Liga.
Dembélé has also learned when to pick his moments when dribbling. A younger, more inexperienced Dembélé had a tendency to lose the ball frequently in an effort to shoot or dribble into openings that weren’t there. Now, he’s actively searching for passing possibilities or spaces where he can cut inside.
Dembélé has also improved the defensive side of his game. He’s able to read the game well and use his speed to gain a headstart on opposition players, intercepting them before they’re able to start an attack. From here, he uses his creativity, two-footedness, and speed to thread clever balls to his attacking teammates. He can also dance through multiple defenders and take a shot on, or goes to the byline where he delivers accurate crosses.
Dembélé signed a two-year contract with Barcelona, and there are rumours that he has a €50 million release clause. Dembélé has changed for the better this season with fewer injuries, a healthier diet and overall routine, and improved his on-field performances. If Dembélé can stay maintain this lifestyle, Chelsea could get him for a reasonable price that could turn out to be a bargain.
Eden Hazard or a sensational move for Neymar should also not be ruled out and both would improve this current attacking crop massively although Eden has lost a lot of pace so if Chelsea do not decide to go for an out and out striker investment, Eden at false 9 could be something that is explored.
