Xabi Alonso will take office on July 1, and the new Chelsea manager will be thrown in at the deep end. This summer is shaping up to be one of Chelsea’s most important windows for years.
Having failed to qualify for Europe last season, Chelsea find themselves in danger of falling further down the Premier League table if they do not make the right signings in the upcoming summer window.
You can only keep one, Enzo Fernandez or Cole Palmer. Who are you choosing?
Tell us who but also why!
Chelsea have the youngest average squad in the Premier League, and that lack of experience was costly for BlueCo last season. Behdad Eghbali has said that there is a realisation that Chelsea need experience.
Remarkably, it has taken Todd Boehly, BlueCo and Eghbali four years to reach that epiphany, but that is where Chelsea find themselves. The hiring of Alonso is a good start, but they must get the signings right.
Scott Minto does not think BlueCo control Cole Palmer’s future
Chelsea must make the right signings, but it is just as crucial that Chelsea can keep their best players. Joao Pedro looks set to stay put, but both Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella could leave the Blues.
Cole Palmer’s future remains a talking point too, and former Chelsea man Minto has told TalkSPORT that he believes BlueCo are not particularly in control despite Palmer having seven years left on his contract.
“He’s the star,” Minto said on Palmer. “He’s only got seven years left on his contract! The power might be with the owners, but actually it might not be; if he is desperate to get out, that’s a toxic situation to be in.
“Hopefully the owners have made that statement with Alonso, and will make more statements with the players signed. Not just for Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella too – he’s one of the best left-backs in the world.
“Enzo Fernandez too. He’s not quick, but he’s one of the cleverest players in the world. A key summer for Chelsea in terms of not just trying to bring good players in, but also not losing their best players.”
Julien Laurens has hit the nail on the head; Palmer is staying
Chelsea’s stance on Palmer is that the former Man City star is ‘untouchable’. But reports have emerged that if clubs made a £150m approach to land the playmaker this summer, then that would be accepted.
But French reporter Julien Laurens hit the nail on the head recently. Amid links with Man United, PSG and Bayern Munich, Laurens said that clubs are not going to be able to spend that kind of cash on Palmer.
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“I’m not even sure Manchester United could spend £150m. So that might be the best answer of what is next for Cole Palmer. If that’s the price, there is nobody right now who would be able to sign him.”
Even if a club could suddenly afford £150m, they won’t spend it on Palmer given the season he has just had. After three seasons in a row playing in tournaments, Palmer now has the opportunity to rest.
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