Chelsea transfer news: The Blues are set to pursue several options this summer to help get the best out of Enzo Fernandez.
Enzo Fernandez could find himself partnered by a new player this summer. (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino have three key roles that they need to address in the summer as well as creating exit strategies for large chunks of their ever-increasingly tired squad. Both mentally and physically, many of this current group have already checked out and had done long before the 1-0 loss to Manchester City.
The fourth loss to Pep Guardiola’s side this season was perhaps the least surprising, too. Even on coronation day for England’s kings once again, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were unable to score against the top dogs of European football. The combined losses to City for the season ends at an embarrassing but reality bearing 8-0 defeat.
To get anywhere near the juggernaut sweeping all before them in the next season it will take a turnover of more than 15 players this summer as well as making the right signings at the same time. Despite spending over £550m in 12-months the club have failed to address the core of the side, leaving it exposed, fragile and weak.
It’s not a good look for the new owners but early signs suggest that they are looking in the right areas for the next window. Although last summer was scattergun, the winter purchases did at least follow some semblance of a plan, even if it only served to created massive squad issues for the second half of the season.
Heading into a summer under Pochettino and no such mistakes can be made. The Argentine, with his demanding but also cut-throat methods to squad building, will be eyeing up a new goalkeeper, defensive midfielder and striker. Even with the plethora of returning loan stars there are holes unlikely to be plugged.
Romelu Lukaku could feasibly fill the striker spot should his goals align with the club’s but a happy marriage third time round is far from a certainty. The goalkeeping situation has spiralled in the past 12-months to the point that two fresh faces may well be needed. It is the defensive midfielder that needs addressing the most.
Before Enzo Fernandez joined on deadline day nearly five months ago it had been over four years since a permanent signing had been made in midfield, let alone as a midfield anchor. Chelsea’s storied past with destroyer-type midfielders had been positive for so long with Nemanja Matic, Claude Makelele and even the presence of Michael Essien in a box-to-box role. They are yet to truly replace Matic, though.
It is something that has seen Fernandez pigeon-holed into a role not best suited to his wide skillset and is therefore causing him issues with ball-progression, impact and creativity. He has done a good job regardless but there is much more that can come from the 22-year-old if partnered with the right profile of man next to him.
That has led Chelsea to look at Romeo Lavia, Declan Rice, Manuel Ugarte and Moises Caicedo amongst others ahead of the summer. Most had been monitored ahead of this season, too. The loan addition of Denis Zakaria solved very little and back to square one they go.
It was the midfield that Lampard praised despite the loss to City, saying: “I liked midfield, I thought Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] was really good, level of game to come in and show those lovely attributes he’s got, you can see he moves with the ball.
“Enzo’s attitude was great, across the back, I know we made a mistake for the goal but once we got to grips with the problems between the lines, and we went in and stayed in.”
He once more chose to pack out the middle of the park with Conor Gallagher joining Fernandez and Loftus-Cheek but it wasn’t enough to force a positive result. Although all three have their perks it is not a cohesive group that offers enough in terms of protection for the defence of supply for the attack
This is where Lavia comes in. The 18-year-old made such an impression on his debut against the Blues for Southampton in August that a late bid was sent his way despite only joining two months earlier from Manchester City. Having been relegated with Saints – 25% of the points coming against Chelsea – he is now expected to jump ship and make the step up once more.
According to Fabrizio Romano the Blues, who have invested heavily in teenagers and youth talent, already have an advantage over the competition. In new recruitment director Joe Shields, Chelsea have a man that helped to forge a career for Lavia both at City and Southampton. His recent departure to SW6 from the south coast could well prove to be somewhat of a secret weapon when it comes to potential negotiations.
If he isn’t an achievable target then other options are on the table, too. Romano has also confirmed that Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone is being watched. He has a price tag of around £26m and would be much cheaper than the other players mentioned.
Pochettino will also have to consider the balance of his midfield with Mason Mount, Gallagher, Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante all potential players that could be sold this summer. Although there is hope that Kante and Mount will sign new deals, it still poses major questions and not ones that can necessarily be solved by splashing more cash on new players.
Source: football.london
