This hasn’t been the best summer so far.
It was always going to happen. A manager wanting full control over transfers under the dictatorship of the axis of evil. Never going to happen. If the rumours are to be believed then Conte is on the verge of a major fall out with the board over a lack of transfer activity. It’s not hard, is it? We won the league, we need to strengthen. Let’s sign some players!
Anyway, let’s take a look at some of the most recent rumours involving our beloved.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Should rumours be believed we have bid 53m over the past couple of days. He was linked with us for an eternity last summer, Chelsea eventually baulking at the asking price. We desperately need a defender so this ticks a box. He’s strong, quick, but does have a bit of a question mark around his ability to play out from the back, which, under Conte is vital. Gary Cahill has struggled with this at times over the past year so would signing someone for 53m to replace Cahill and do essentially the same job be frugal business? Not for me. Whilst undoubtedly a good player, we need to be looking more in depth at a player’s strengths and weaknesses before plundering that amount of cash.
Lorenzo Insigne
A new one! As far as I’m aware we have not been linked with Insigne over the past few years. A bit of a late bloomer, he’s pacy, direct and two footed. A clever player, he would fit in nicely with the type of football we try and play in and around the box. A fee of 45m has been bandied about recently which seems steep but looking at this transfer market so far, any fee is feasible. The issue for me is similar to above. Is it worth that sort of outlay for a player who may not be as good as Pedro? He may certainly be a step up on Willian but 45m for a squad player? This doesn’t reflect well upon our transfer committee so far and the kind of players we are looking at.
Benjamin Mendy
One of the most in vogue players at the moment. Plays for Monaco? Check. Young? Check. French? Check. The best thing about Benjamin Mendy seems to be that Monaco are actually willing to let him go. So determined are they to keep Mbappe that they seem to be open to negotiation for their other young talent. We certainly need another left wing back. Mendy would provide us with a world-class talent who, working under Antonio Conte, could develop into a world-class player. Quick, good technically, attacking and he plays the game as if he’s enjoying it, which is great to watch. Unlike the two above, Mendy would provide a significant step up from Marcos Alonso and is exactly the type of player we should be aiming to buy. Anywhere up to 40m would represent a good deal for all parties and a sign that Chelsea do have a bit of nous when it comes to signing players this summer.
It hasn’t been the best summer so far. But it’s only June 16th. There’s still time. Let’s hope by this time next week we have secured at least one top signing and Conte has agreed a new deal.
Please?
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