There are now concerns emerging from Chelsea following the departures of Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic to Manchester United and Manchester City respectively.
That is according to the Daily Mail.
So, what are Chelsea worried about? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the article in question mentions that Tottenham would like to sign Conor Gallagher as a replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
The Chelsea No.23 is also being targeted by West Ham as the east Londoners attempt to replace Declan Rice – as detailed by Tutto Mercato Web.
However, Chelsea are becoming more and more concerned about strengthening their rivals this summer.
The Blues have already handed Mount to Manchester United in a £60m deal, while Kovacic has joined Manchester City for £25m.
Therefore, Chelsea are reluctant to bolster another Premier League rival by giving Gallagher to Tottenham, although the Daily Mail do state that an exit could happen for the England international if Moises Caicedo moves to Stamford Bridge.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are expected to make a new bid for the Brighton No.25 after seeing a £70m offer rejected earlier this week, and the Ecuador international is very keen for the move to happen.
Chelsea shouldn’t worry about rivals
In our view, if Chelsea’s rivals are presenting the best financial offers for unwanted players, there is nothing wrong about doing business with them.
Manchester City are going to be a force in the 2023/24 campaign with or without Kovacic, while Mount is hardly going to transform Manchester United into a different side on his own.
Both of those deals, which saw Chelsea receive a combined £85m, were for two players out of contract in 12 months, which represents superb business by those at Stamford Bridge.
As long as these funds are reinvested on players Pochettino feels can be different makers for the Blues, Chelsea shouldn’t worry about selling to their Premier League rivals.