Italian job may suit Blues as Boehly looks to shift on fringe players
paul@slpmedia.co.uk
Now is the time for action as Todd Boehly sits in the big chair, talks to super agents, chats to head coach Thomas Tuchel and then speaks to his co-owners about the way forward – who to buy, who to sell and how much money to spend.
While the rest of the club focuses on travel arrangements for the men’s and women’s team’s trip to the US for pre-season, Boehly will finally talk big numbers about bringing in players for all positions in SW6.
Two central defenders, a central midfielder and an attacker are essential, while at least one full-back will be required.
Boehly will attempt to offload some serious big earners – but will find buyers hard to come by as their wages demands will be prohibited. Loan deals will be the way forward – Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcos Alonso and Ross Barkley will be particular targets for the co-owner to shift.
He will try to get a transfer fee, if possible, and Jorginho is one he could get a few bob for.
The Italian international has a contract that ends in 2023, but the Blues would be prepared to sell him now.
Juventus are keen on the 30-year-old who has been at the Bridge for six years.
He’s never fully had the fans’ backing – simple basic errors have always been highlighted rather than his energy and occasional sublime forward pass.
Jorginho’s agent Joao Santos has insisted that Chelsea is his priority now and that he would be looking to extend his contract if possible.
But Boehly and Tuchel are looking at Matheus Nunes, 23, from Sporting in Portugal as his replacement.
Offers in the region of £45million look likely to secure the combative midfielder.
Tuchel wants to keep N’Golo Kante for at least another season and the sight of the France midfield dynamo already back at Cobham starting pre season training ahead of the scheduled return date will have given the German boss a lift.
Kante was injury-prone all last season which hampered the Blues’ attempt to break into the top two places of the Premier League.
Other players back at Cobham have included Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Hakim Ziyech, Trevoh Chalobah and Barkley. They followed the likes of Kepa, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Malang Sarr, who returned last week.
Some of last season’s loanees in Ian Maatsen, Dujon Sterling and Levi Colwill also make up the pack of senior players .
Chelsea Women have signed Czech international Katerina Svitkova on a three-year deal.
The 26-year-old played for West Ham. Attacking midfielder Svitkova scored five goals in 34 games for the east London outfit in two seasons.
She said: “I am living my dream. I have wanted to play for this club my whole life, having supported the team since childhood, and I really appreciate this exciting opportunity.
“Chelsea is a huge club with an amazing history for both the men’s and women’s teams. They have the best players and coaches and I can’t wait to meet everyone.
“Chelsea also has the best fans and I can’t wait to meet them at Kingsmeadow. I want to win everything, and I know that with Chelsea it is possible.”
Head coach Emma Hayes said: “Katerina has developed really well over the past two years at West Ham.
“We’ve been watching her for some time and knew she’d offer the team a lot of quality in midfield and also wing-back too. She’s really versatile and extremely driven and has a real love for Chelsea.
“She is the profile we have been looking for and a person who I know will give everything to the shirt.”