Chelsea Football Club are currently embarking on yet another transfer window.
Over £1BN has been spent on a recruitment drive primarily targeting young players, in hope they develop into world class players.
Despite the vast amount of money spent and a return to the UEFA Champions League as well landing their first men’s trophy, the ownership and directors still have a lot of work to do.
Questions marks have been raised by fans about the goalkeeper situation, the left wing situation, striker situation, centre back situation.. basically everywhere but midfield and right back.
In this article, I asked a number of popular Chelsea FC fan accounts and social media influencers on who they would like to see the club sign this summer.
Here was my briefing to them, informed by the latest information on positions and profile’s the club are targeting :
• Name me one Cucurella backup signing (LCB/LB hybrid)
• Name me your preferred left wing signing
• Name me your preferred ‘versatile’ attacker signing (LW/10/ST)
• Name me your preferred natural centre back signing
And finally, I got each individual to list a potentially controversial sale this summer in order to raise funds.
It was suggested to not go too fantasy, but with Chelsea holding the healthiest PSR position according to Sky Sports, Champions League money in the bag and over 15 potential player sales, fans were invited to be rightly ambitious if they wished.
So, with all that said, let’s begin.
Tom Overend – 65,000 followers on X and part owner of The Chelsea Social
Cucurella backup: Jorrel Hato. Perfect positional fit for Maresca’s system, and has experience in Ajax high-possession teams
Left-wing: This is tough as I have consistently said the market isn’t great.
Morgan Rogers would be great in either the LW or versatile attacker role if we can get him, but I will go for Jamie Gittens due to system fit and upside potential.
Versatile attacker: Joao Pedro is a good player with PL experience, but potential attitude problems are a risk. I will go with Hugo Ekitike if the price can be negotiated down.
Natural centre back: Jarrad Branthwaite. Rolls-Royce of a defender that is comfortable on the ball and has all the best defensive attributes. Expensive but worth it.
Controversial sale: Wesley Fofana – I rate him highly but given his injury record, I think he should be sold if a replacement RCB is bought in and there is a book profit, break even or even a small book loss.
We need to build on more solid foundations than what Wesley has offered.
Felix Johnston – 208,000 followers on X and scouting consultant in Denmark
Cucurella backup : Jorthy Mokio
Left wing : I am happy with either Jamie Gittens or Malick Fofana, but if I am forced to pick one then I will go with Gittens.
Versatile attacker : Morgan Rogers
Natural centre back : Lukeba/Bisseck depending if we want a LCB or RCB
Controversial sale: Malo Gusto
CFCDubois – 382,000 followers on X and self proclaimed biggest fan of Olivier Giroud
Cucurella backup: Jorell Hato
Left wing: Rafael Leao
Versatile attacker: Viktor Gyokeres
Natural centre back: Jarrad Branthwaite
Controversial sale: Wesley Fofana
ConnCFC – 461,000 followers on X and Co-owner of Chelsea Central on Playback.tv
Cucurella backup: Jorell Hato
Left wing: I can’t decide between Rafael Leao or Bradley Barcola, but one of those would elevate our side.
Versatile attacker: Again, I am unsure on who would be better but two names, Mohammed Kudus or Eberechi Eze.
Natural centre back: Tomas Aruajo
Controversial sale: Benoit Badiashile
Simon Phillips – 463,000 followers on X and owner of Si Phillips Talks Chelsea on Substack
Cucurella backup: Jorell Hato
Left wing: This will be controversial but I’d go for Jack Grealish for experience and get him to play in the same role as he did more for Aston Villa wide on the left cutting inside.
Although you said not too unrealistic and his wages would be. I’d have Anthony Gordon or Antoine Semenyo as the other choices that might be more realistic on wages.
Versatile attacker: Morgan Rogers (think something can be done there with players going the other way).
Natural centre back: Jarrad Branthwaite
Controversial sale: Nicolas Jackson, but only IF we are to then go and sign Hugo Ekitike.
CFCDaily – 733,000 followers on X
Cucurella backup: I would like to promote Ishe Samuels smith over signing, but if we do, then Jorell Hato.
Left wing; Antoine Semenyo
Versatile attacker: Xavi Simons
Natural centre back: Jarrad Branthwaite
Controversial sale: Malo Gusto
CFCMod – 71,000 followers on X
Cucurella backup: Tyrick Mitchell
Left wing: Rafael Leao or Jamie Gittens, I can’t decide. I think both would be good system fits.
Versatile attacker: Morgan Rogers
Natural centre back: Jorell Hato or Murillo
Controversial sale: Wesley Fofana if we can get a decent sum for him.
Alex Goldberg – Ex 500,000 follower X account – host on playback.tv
Cucurella backup: Jorell Hato
Left wing: Jamie Gittens
Versatile attacker: Hugo Ekitike
Natural centre back: Tomas Araujo
Controversial sale: Noni Madueke
Connor Holden – 13,500 followers on X and Chelsea analyst on YouTube and Squawka
Cucurella backup: Jorell Hato
Left wing: Jamie Gittens
Versatile attacker: Morgan Rogers
Natural centre back: Jarrad Branthwaite
Controversial sale: Benoit Badiashile
Miz (The Other side of the Coin) – 40,000 followers on X and 41,000 subscribers on YouTube
Cucurella backup: Anthonee Robinson
Left wing: I wanted Nico Williams… but he’s seemingly off to Barcelona.
Versatile attacker: Mohammed Kudus
Natural centre back: Antonio Rudiger
Controversial sale: Nicolas Jackson as the price right now might be the best we would get.
Will Reyner- 63,000 followers on X
Cucurella backup signing: I do have a feeling the club will bring Valentin Barco in from Strasbourg for the 26/27 season as he’s a like for like replacement for Cucurella but I also think they’ll sign Jorrel Hato this summer as he can fill in at both CB and LB, which I’d be a fan of
Left wing signing : Jamie Gittens would be the obvious choice as that deal looks like it’ll be done at some point in the window but I would love the club to surprise us and go for a Leao/Barcola.
They certainly could be available as we’ve seen Bayern linked with both already.
Versatile attacker signing: This has to be Morgan Rogers as he’d take us to another level both technically and physically.
Villa need to raise funds before the end of the month so I’m hoping Chelsea can take advantage of their financial issues and get him signed.
He can play anywhere behind the striker and it would also be nice to see him link up with Palmer, Lavia, Delap and Maresca once more.
Natural Centre back signing: We’d need an aggressor who compliments Colwill’s game and my ideal player for that would be Jarrad Branthwaite.
Controversial sale: I would sell Malo Gusto but only to clubs outside of the Premier League.
He simply doesn’t fit the system and assuming Maresca stays for a while, I’d prefer Josh Acheampong to be Reece James’ deputy.
I liked Gusto a lot under Pochettino and he’s clearly a very good natural fullback so I’d rather see him go abroad.
Tiggz – 35,000 followers on X and video editor for multiple players
Cucurella backup signing: El Hadji Malick Diouf
Left wing signing: Jamie Gittens
Versatile attacker signing: Mohammed Kudus
Natural centre back signing: Cristian Mosquera from Valencia, if we can beat Leipzig to the race.
Controversial sale: Wesley Fofana
Rob Pratley – 43,000 followers on X and Chelsea FC Women’s insider
Cucurella back-up signing: Jorrel Hato is the standout but I’d rather see Ishe Samuels-Smith get a long term shot.
Failing that, Piero Hincapié is very good and a bigger fish will take him for Leverkusen soon.
Left wing signing: No opinion.
Versatile attacker signing: My heart says I want Morgan Rodgers because of the fact he is homegrown, very good and has a lot of potential, but it won’t happen realistically. I suspect something can be sorted for Mo Kudus.
Natural centre back signing: Again, I would love Gleison Bremer but it won’t happen. As a more realistic name, Chelsea did look at Tomas Araújo again recently and his profile is well-liked.
As a total wildcard name (who to my knowledge Spurs are most keen on), I think Nathan Collins is excellent.
Controversial sale: I like Malo Gusto but if a really decent offer came in, I would sell.
You can offer Josh Acheampong a clear pathway, a fit Reece James is always first choice and options like Richard Olise exist.
So there you have it. A wide range of different opinions from different accounts, although there were some very common names that fans want to see.
Jorell Hato and Morgan Rogers were the most requested shouts, alongside Jarrad Branthwaite.
For those wondering about my choices, I don’t have too many particulars.
I would like to see Mohammed Kudus join, but it would be very much dependant on the price tag and where he would fit in the side, as I feel his price tag would command starting status.
At centre back, there aren’t too many world class instant impact needle moves on the market. An audacious approach for Ibrahim Konate should be considered, though, given his contract status at Liverpool.
Sources have told LondonsFirst that scouts appreciate Loic Bade, as reported on my X (@MaxLondonsFirst) in early April.
Tomas Aruajo is a great ball player, but I have concerns over his pace and defending, and previous target Ousmane Diomande looks like he’s off to Crystal Palace.
Jorell Hato seems like a great system fit for Maresca and could perform that LCB/LB role, and also invert, but he’s only 19 and very rash defensively. Would he also come as a backup considering his price would command £35-40m?
The no brainer for me is the left wing position – I don’t want to see Jamie Gittens or Malick Fofana. Although talented, Chelsea need a more safe option.
The relationship with Jorge Mendes should be explored again to try and lure Rafael Leao to Chelsea.
I truly believe in the right system and setup, he would thrive. And I don’t have too much concerns about out of possession, as Maresca proved with Jadon Sancho that to play, you’ll have to work.
Leao has mesmerising pace and dribbling, and an eye for goal. He also has an in game relationship with Pedro Neto, who will likely start initially on the right wing.
Finally, the striker, the position which is hardest to fill, especially at Chelsea.
Liam Delap is a good signing – he’ll bring much needed intensity and box presence, but he’s still young and needs to adapt to the system.
For me, the club should be looking at Delap as a second option for this season, while a sale of Nicolas Jackson (£50m+) would bring funds for Victor Osimhen.
Yes, his wages may be deemed unrealistic, but I am still in the delusional world where I am hoping that the hierarchy will make an exception.
I do not buy the narrative that they cannot ‘break’ the structure because then everyone else will ask for the same.
Players are not children, they will understand if a player who has achieved more in the game and been doing it at a high level for multiple years comes in on high wages – that’s how it has been for years.
