Marina confirms next three transfers after Sealing £25m deal
A big summer of transfer activity is expected at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel looks to put his own stamp of authority on his squad.
These are incredibly exciting times to be a Chelsea supporter. Fresh from winning the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City almost three weeks ago, the Blues, who discovered on Wednesday morning that they will host Crystal Palace on the opening day of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, are now busy putting plans in place ahead of the start of next season.
For Tuchel, this summer’s transfer window, which officially opened for business last week, presents him with his first meaningful opportunity to put his own stamp of authority on the squad that he inherited from his predecessor, Frank Lampard, upon his arrival in January.
Although the January window was still open at the time of his arrival, Tuchel did not see a reason to add to the squad mid-season. As well as that, Chelsea had spent over £200million last summer, meaning another big splurge was always unlikely.
But with Tuchel having demonstrated his managerial qualities in recent months, he is set to be supplied with a transfer war chest this summer to add the players he wants to his squad.
However, with the German keen on adding big-name stars to his ranks, Chelsea will have to cut their cloth to not only trim the size of the squad but bring in funds to fund new arrivals.
Already, transfer guru Marina Granovskaia has wasted little time on that score, with three players having already sealed exits from Stamford Bridge on permanent deals.
The first to leave the club was youngster Pierre Ekwah Elimby, who completed a move to West Ham United last week for around £1.5million.
The Blues’ second summer departure came in the shape of forgotten midfielder Danilo Pantic, who sealed a permanent switch to Partizan Belgrade, the club Chelsea signed him from back in 2015, on Wednesday. He has returned to his homeland without making a single appearance for the Blues.
The third permanent departure, and the biggest to date, is that of Fikayo Tomori. His return to AC Milan was confirmed yesterday following a successful loan spell with the club during the 2020/21 campaign. It is understood that he has returned to the Italian giants for an initial fee of £25million.
With the Blues continuing to trim the size of the squad and offloading those not involved in Tuchel’s plans, Granovskaia will now be hoping to focus more heavily on bringing players into the club.
It is believed that Chelsea plan to add three new faces, as a minimum, to the squad this summer, with a right-sided defender, a central-midfielder and a striker on their radar.
Inter Milan star Achraf Hakimi and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland are believed to be Tuchel’s top targets to strengthen the right wing-back and striker roles, with the club believed to have reignited their interest in West Ham United ace Declan Rice to bolster the centre of midfield.
Although all three players will cost Chelsea a small fortune, they should have no difficulty in attracting them because of their European champions status.
Financially, though, it could prove difficult, with all three players going to command huge fees and big wages, especially in Haaland’s case.
Nevertheless, Chelsea have a plan in place and believe three new additions in those aforementioned positions can be what turns them into title contenders next term.