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Chelsea still looking at transfers after signings of Chilwell, Thiago Silva

Chelsea signings

German midfielder Kai Havertz is still high on Chelsea’s radar as the club’s spending spree continues. (Bongarts/Getty Image)

Chelsea transfers
German midfielder Kai Havertz is still high on Chelsea’s radar as the club’s spending spree continues. (Bongarts/Getty Image)

Following the recent signings of Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva, Chelsea are still due for a huge splash this transfer window. After an overachieving top-4 finish in the Premier League last season with a roster still reeling from the effects of the 2019 transfer ban, manager Frank Lampard showed a willingness to go all in for the upcoming Premier League season. Apart from the recently confirmed Ben Chilwell signing and the imminent announcement of Thiago Silva, let’s take a look at recent rumors and how likely they are. 

Arrival: Kai Havertz- Very Likely 

Chelsea’s biggest transfer rumor of the summer will soon come true. Bayer Leverkusen have held their price firm on Kai Havertz for months, and it seems as though Chelsea have finally relented, agreeing to a massive deal worth at least £90 million ($118.9 million USD). 

However, there’s always a caveat. The negotiations between Leverkusen and Chelsea have been largely secretive, with no clear information being released from either camp. This leads to a flurry of different information and reporting. Despite reports, Leverkusen’s Sportig Director Rudi Voller said the rumors regarding an imminent transfer were “nonsense.” There are also reports saying Leverkusen will not permit Havertz to leave the club until a replacement is found. 

Regardless, expect Havertz to suit up at Stamford Bridge this fall. 

Arrival: Andre Onana/Nick Pope- Likely

To round out Chelsea’s Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League campaigns, Frank Lampard benched Kepa Arizaballaga in favor of Willy Caballero. It’s no longer a question of whether Kepa—the most expensive goalkeeper in the world — will be replaced, it’s a question of who will be the replacement. 

One player the Blues were keen to sign was Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson. After an outstanding season on loan at Sheffield United last season, the 23-year-old English goalkeeper signed a five-year extension with his parent club, Manchester United. 

Along with Henderson, two players linked to replace Kepa are Burnley’s Nick Pope and Ajax’s Andre Onana. 

Onana is four years younger than Pope and early reports by The Athletic said he likes the prospect of playing for Lampard. Pope is a proven Premier League keeper, but will cost more than Onana as an English player.

Another candidate for Chelsea’s number one is Mike Maignan of Ligue 1’s Lille, though he would probably cost as much as Onana. 

Arrival: Malang Sarr- Official

As Chelsea look to strengthen their back line, Malang Sarr could be a great, under-the-radar choice going forward. The 21-year-old French international possesses good potential, recording 54 tackles and interceptions in only 19 games last season at Nice. Sarr declined to stay at Nice and will leave on a free transfer, signing with the Blues on Thursday, August 27. All signs point to Sarr leaving on a Kurt Zouma-esque loan spell.

How will Chelsea afford all of this? 

Chelsea saved tons of money after the 2019 transfer ban and were itching to spend it. That, in addition to the money from the departures of Alvaro Morata ($61 million USD/£46.6 million) and Eden Hazard ($126 million/£95.7 million), triggered a massive spending spree. But following the signings of Hakim Ziyech ($44 million/ £33.3 million), Timo Werner ($58.3 million/ £44.12 million) and Ben Chilwell ($66.06 million/ £50 million), that money has nearly run dry. Chelsea will need to sell players to finance their transfer plans.

Departure: Emerson- Imminent

Following the signing of Chilwell, Chelsea has a surplus of left-backs, and all signs point to  Emerson being the odd man out. 

According to reports, the Italian international has drawn strong interest from Inter Milan, who look to obtain him for £22 million ($29.1 million). Chelsea have set Emerson’s price at £26 million($34.35 million). 

Departure: Michy Batshuayi- Very Likely

Despite a Premier League winning goal in 2017, Michy Batshuayi has been largely out of favor with Chelsea managers. Add Timo Werner into the mix and there’s simply no room for him on the Blues’ roster. The Belgian international has been made available for offers.

Departure: Tiemoue Bakayoko- Very Likely 

Chelsea signed Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco for $44 million/£33.3 million in 2017, at the time the club’s second most expensive signing ever. He failed to impress in his first season and was sent on loan to AC Milan and back to Monaco during the next two years. Now, he is keen to rejoin Milan, but this time on a permanent basis. Transfermarkt assesses his market value at around $28 million/£21.2 million. 

Departures: Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Zouma, Kepa, others- Likely 

Frank Lampard has made many excess players available. Italian Davide Zappacosta could not cement a regular position for Chelsea, and will likely move back to the Serie A after a year-long loan at Roma. Englishman Danny Drinkwater had a woeful 2019-2020 season while out on loan and Chelsea will sell him to whichever club even hints at being interested in him. The same goes for Kepa. 

With Thiago Silva joining Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori at center-back, Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen have also been reportedly made available to clubs.

What to expect from Chelsea

If the Blues can complete all of these moves, they will be the clear winners of the transfer window across all leagues. Following a top-4 finish, fans should expect nothing short of Champions League football again next season. In fact, Chelsea should be competing with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title. 

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