Chelsea have endured one of the most difficult seasons in their recent history… but are getting back on their feet.
Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly are the new pieces that Tuchel has added to the squad to return to challenging for titles as new air rushes through Stamford Bridge.
After winning the Champions League, expectations were tremendous and the big-money signing of Romelu Lukaku only increased them. Everything has gone wrong since then.
The Belgian didn’t work out and the 115 million euros were wasted.
Soon after, the Russian invasion of Ukraine brought the glorious ‘Abramovich era’ (the best in the club’s history) to an end, but not without a few months of absolute uncertainty surrounding the London club.
Now, under new owner Todd Boehly, a new era is beginning in central London… and it has started with a bang, with the Blues looking to make up ground on Liverpool and Manchester City.
Recovering from departures
Losing Rudiger to Real Madrid and Christensen to Barcelona as free agents was a blow. Tuchel lost two important members of the defence – especially the German – and did not receive a euro for either.
In addition, the possible departures of Marcos Alonso and Azpilicueta, both of whom are being eyed by Barcelona, heightened the turmoil in Chelsea‘s transfer market.
Meanwhile, a shadow of doubt was growing over Stamford Bridge: Would Boehly invest as much money as Abramovich once did?
It didn’t take long for that question to be answered. And while the rumours surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo were echoing around England, Chelsea were on the move.
Without landing De Ligt, their first target, two strikes were achieved: one in attack and the other in defence.
Two big-name signings
First Raheem Sterling, then Kalidou Koulibaly. The English winger arrives to reinforce the attack and to provide the best possible complement to Havertz, who at times has been isolated.
With the departure of Lukaku and the disappointing performances of Werner, the experience of Sterling will bring numbers and assured performances to the Blue’s attack.
The transfer is also a coup for a player who will be 28 years old in December and whose contract was expiring in 2023.
Almost 60 million euros, according to the BBC, for a player who will turn 28 in December.
Whether the deal is positive or not, it shows the financial muscle that Boehly holds.
Then there is Koulibaly, the centre-back who will shore up Chelsea‘s backline and accompany Thiago Silva and Chalobah.
The Senegalese defender arrives from Napoli, where he was an idol. His contract expired in 2023 and his departure leaves all parties happy.
The player secures a contract huge contract (10 million euros net per season until 2027, reports ‘Sky Italia’), and Napoli receive 40 million euros for a 31-year-old who was due to end his contract in 2023 and who didn’t want to renew…
Plus, Chelsea snap up one of the best centre-backs in Europe over the last decade.
And there is more to come…
But that’s not the end of the story. Chelsea and Boehly have extra cash in their pockets should they need it.
There is Gabriel Slonina, the 18-year-old American goalkeeper who has chosen Chelsea over Real Madrid… although he will stay on loan for an extra season in Chicago.
There is also a need for an extra defender with Ake‘s name on the table for weeks while Jules Kounde remains on the back burner… perhaps soon to be a frontrunner.
And moving on to the midfield… keep an eye on Frenkie de Jong, who was already being talked about during Boehly‘s trip to Barcelona.
Marca
