Why this summer is Chelsea’s most important transfer window since Abramovich takeover
Cameron Smith
- 23 Feb 2022 09:33 GMT
- 5 min read
Picture the scene. It's June 2003 and Roman Abramovich has walked through the doors at Chelsea, ushering in a new generation for the West London club, one of promise and excitement.
Fast forward to 2022, flying past nearly two decades of success, and you'll soon come across a pivotal moment in Chelsea's future. The summer window could be a launchpad for the next great Chelsea side, or it could succumb the club into the mediocrity that has been present at the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham in recent years.
The importance of the upcoming window can't be overstated, and it really will define what Chelsea's immediate future will look like.
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You might as why, and it's quite simply really.
Chelsea have a whole host of vital transfer decisions to make, and if they go wrong, the consequences could be dire.
The recent purchases of Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, and Kai Havertz all haven't gone as planned, so the board will no doubt be extremely cautious in who they decide to bring in.
It's not just a case of one issue needing to be resolved, Chelsea have six or seven questions to answer for, and they need to get everyone spot on in order to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool next season.
But, what needs to be solved?
The Kepa conundrum
Edouard Mendy's story from unemployment to World Champion is one that encapsulates the highs and lows of football, but his emergence at Chelsea has left one man very much in the shadows, forced to bide his time.
While Kepa Arrizabalaga was an error-prone, confidence-lacking goalkeeper during Frank Lampard's time in charge, the Spaniard seems reborn under Thomas Tuchel, albeit in limited minutes.
His penalty-saving expertise has come in handy more than once, and he's re-found the form that convinced Chelsea to break the world record fee for a goalkeeper in 2018.
In terms of post-shot expected goals compared to goals conceded, Kepa ranks in the top 2% of goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues over the past year, demonstrating his return to form. However, with Mendy still first choice, this summer provides a perfect opportunity to sell Kepa while his value is at its highest ever while a Chelsea player. The club will need to decide whether that take up that option, or keep him as a back-up to Mendy.
Contracts of centre-backs
While Thiago Silva's future at Chelsea has been resolved, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Cesar Azpilicueta are all on their way out as things stand, as all three of their contracts expire in the summer.
Rudiger has expressed a desire to stay at the club, but nothing has been finalised in regards to a new deal. The board and Tuchel himself need to determine whether the Germany international is worth his wage demands, and similarly judge if the situations with Christensen and Azpilicueta need to be discussed.
Sevilla's Jules Kounde has been the man touted for a move to Stamford Bridge in replacement of one of the trio, while Maximilian Kilman, the Wolves centre-back, has been scouted by Chelsea for several months following an excellent start to the season.
Centre-back is such a crucial position, and hence Chelsea can't really afford to mess this up.
Wing-back depth
The injuries to Ben Chilwell and Reece James this season have illustrated how heavily they are relied upon in Tuchel's system. Galloping forward they provide the creative outlet, and it's no surprise that the Blues were far more of a cohesive attacking unit then the pair of English wing-backs were fully fit.
However, their absence has highlighted the need for better cover, with Marcos Alonso and the aforementioned Azpilicueta no longer the players they used to be.
Recalling Emerson from Lyon was touted as a potential option in January, but there's no doubt it's an area that needs to be revisited in the summer. An ACL injury can ruin a player's career, and while Chilwell should be afforded time for a full recovery, he may not be as dynamic or confident as he was pre-injury - just look at Callum Hudson-Odoi for example.
Central midfield
While the centre of defence seems to be the biggest problem when it comes to contracts at Chelsea, central midfield is just as key. Both Jorginho and N'Golo Kante will become free agents in 2023, with their deals set to expire in just over a year's time. That means it's Chelsea last chance to recoup some of the money spent on the pair this summer; will they sell and try to reinvest and rebuild, or will they cling on for too long?
It's a decision that needs to be taken in just a few short months, and will be decade-defining. Chelsea either stick with what they have, or just go all-in for Aurelien Tchouameni and/or Declan Rice.
Forward line
Another issue is the under-whelming and under-performing attack. As reported exclusively by FootballTransfers, Raphinha is high on Chelsea's priority list, and the Brazilian is in talks with the club, but who will be sold to make way for him?
Hakim Ziyech would be the logical answer, but he's found form in 2022, so it may well be Christian Pulisic who departs.
Either way, Chelsea need goals, and that may require a severe re-building phase.
Returning loanees
The final issue is what to do with the likes of Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja, Billy Gilmour, and Levi Colwill, among others.
The two most pressing problems will be the futures of Gallagher and Broja, who have excelled at Crystal Palace and Southampton respectively this year.
Tuchel has said on multiple occasions that he's a big fan of Gallagher and plans to integrate him into the senior side, while Broja has been getting a whole heap of social media attention following his run of form.
The Albanian striker has been the subject of interest from across Europe, and Chelsea will need to decide whether it's worth selling him, or whether he's ready for the first-team.
The same will need to be done regarding Gallagher, while Gilmour and Colwill may well be sent back out on loan in 2022/23.
