Chelsea are close to offloading two midfield talents Ethan Ampadu and Billy Gilmour on the deadline day, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues have collected just seven points from the opening five Premier League games so far and already tasted two defeats.
The lack of midfield options was far from Chelsea’s only problem in the last few weeks, of course, but Thomas Tuchel insisted that it played a big part in their defeat to Southampton.
“Strange enough, but a huge issue,” the manager said about the midfield situation at Chelsea after the disappointing result at St Mary’s Stadium.
“It’s like five, six players out, including Ruben, everybody in central midfield has an issue… I don’t know why, I don’t understand it, but it’s a big issue of course.”
Tuchel was not exactly without any other option, but it is pretty clear that he was not satisfied with the alternatives.
While Chelsea are in the market for new midfielders, including Ajax’ Edson Alvarez, Ampadu and Gilmour, who have yet to make an appearance this season, are both close to leaving the club, according to Romano.
“Chelsea have almost completed two outgoings,” the Italian transfer expert wrote on Twitter.
“Ethan Ampadu to Spezia on loan, NO buy option.
“Billy Gilmour to Brighton on a permanent deal.”
Similarly, The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath claims that Gilmour is expected to move for £9million following an agreement between Chelsea and Brighton.
Interestingly, the report mentions that the Scotland international is even behind new signing Carney Chukwuemeka in the midfield pecking order under Tuchel.
This quite a surprise given how close he was to establishing himself at the club just a couple of years ago.
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