Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly finding transfer window isn’t without pain

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is finding out that transfer dealings with clubs are not as simple as he first might have thought.

Under the previous regime the Blues were viewed as tough negotiators with the odd spectacular exception.

Boehly had hoped to establish a more cordial and simplistic modus operandi  – either exchange players  or sell and buy them quickly and without overly complicating matters.

He would put a price on the head of a player to either sell or buy and with a little bit of wriggle room settle a deal with a handshake and a smile.

But clubs are not playing ball and that realisation is becoming evident day by day.

It’s not that easy to get a player when they have little reason other than money to sign for you.

Boehly thought he had a signed, sealed and all but delivered deal to land Jules Kounde from Spanish outfit Sevilla. But Barcelona just kept nibbling away at Kounde’s and Sevilla’s resolve to pack the centre-back off to London.

Chelsea stood their ground while they watched the Catalan giants raise the cash needed to match Chelsea’s pitch.

Frenchman Kounde then found that Sevilla would, after all, talk to Barcelona. When Barca come calling, it’s a very difficult decision to turn them down.

And that’s why Chelsea, while not giving up totally on Kounde as he is head coach Thomas Tuchel’s preferred target, are prepared to look elsewhere.

Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana is a target that would fit well at Stamford Bridge.

But he has a contract  with the Foxes until 2027. Boehly and Tuchel would be happy to shell out £67million to land the Frenchman who at 21, is already a seasoned Premier League player since signing from Saint-Etienne in 2020.

At the other end, the question remains about what to do with Timo Werner.

Last season Tuchel made no secret that the German wide man needed to up his game to be considered a first-team untouchable.

There is little evidence that there is a warm working relationship between the pair. To that end, Werner is open to a move away from SW6 with former club RB Leipzig happy to take him back to Germany, even on loan.

Chelsea would want a £3m loan arrangement with them not paying a penny of his estimated £250,000-a-week wages.

Werner, who cost Chelsea £45m in July 2020, might have to take a cut in wages to secure the move.

He is keen for regular first-team action ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha or Newcastle United’s Allan Saint-Maximin would be viewed as comparable replacements for Werner.

Chelsea Women will have at least one European champion in their ranks next week.

England’s quartet of Millie Bright, Fran Kirby, Bethany England and Jess Carter are in the final on Sunday and they will face either France or Germany, who played their semi-final before we went to press.

France have Blues new signing Eve Perisset while Germany’s reserve goalkeeper is Chelsea number one Ann-Katrin Berger.

Emma Thompson has signed her first professional deal with the club .

The 18-year-old striker will be loaned out to Lewes FC. She joined Chelsea’s academy in 2016.

She said: “It’s a dream come true to sign my first pro [contract] for Chelsea. I’m really excited to get started and I’m also looking forward to continuing my development with Lewes.”

Chelsea Women general manager Paul Green said: “Emma has good movement and an eye for the goal and a great track record of scoring at academy level.

“In the short term, Lewes will be an important opportunity for Emma to gain vital match minutes in a competitive environment to build her experience further as she continues her development.

“We wish Emma all the best at Lewes and look forward to closely watching her progress.”

PICTURES: CHELSEA FC AND PA