Chelsea FC 2019/20 Squad Analysis and Transfer Targets 

Chelsea finished the season as the best of the rest in 3rd place behind Manchester City and Liverpool, lost to City in the League Cup Final and beat Arsenal to win the UEFA Europa League. Though on paper you would think this was a relatively successful season, fans unhappiness with Manager Maurizio Sarri’s tactics and methods was constantly expressed in the stands at both home and away games. It is rumored that he has told the club hierarchy that he wants out and is happy to join Juventus. Club legend Frank Lampard is reportedly been eyed as his replacement.

Chelsea have also been hit with a 2 transfer window ban which means if Sarri leaves, the new manager will be unable to sign any new players until the 2020/21 season. The best player Hazard has also left to join Real Madrid. Though Chelsea maybe unable to tempt a big name manager because of the transfer ban, this could be a blessing in disguise for the strong contingent of loaned out and upcoming young stars in the Chelsea ranks. If as rumuored Frank Lampard  gets the job, he will have in his staff, Jody Morris who was once Chelsea Academy Coach and had worked with most of the Chelsea home grown players.

Current Squad

Let’s take a look at the current squad, returnees from loan, young prospects and possible outgoings.

Returning Loanees

The first team and U23 squad have a large number of returning loan players and it is from this list that the new manager would look to see who can be useful to the first team.

The best performers on loan during the season who may likely be considered for first team action or partake in the squad include

 Tammy Abraham (returning from Aston Villa; Championship Playoff Winner)

Kurt Zouma (returning from Everton)

Ola Aina (returning from Torino, buyout clause activated joining Torino 01 July 2019)

           Reece James (returning from Wigan Athletic, won their Player of the Year) 

  Fikayo Tomori (returning from Derby County; won their Player of the Year)

  Mason Mount (returning from Derby County)

Expiring Contracts 

The following player’s contracts run out at the end of the season. Cahill has already confirmed he will be leaving Chelsea.  Higuian and Kovacic’s loan  spell from Juventus and Real Madrid were not successful and they have confirmed they would not be extending Higuian’s contract. There seems to be a wait before they decide what to do with Kovacic. Robert Green has also called time on his career.

 Gary Cahill (Centre Back, 33 years, released)

Mateo Kovacic (Central Midfielder, 25 years, returning to Real Madrid)

Gonzalo Higuian (Centre Forward, 31 years, returning to Juventus)

 Rob Green (Goalkeeper, 39 years, retiring) 

Transfers

Eden Hazard (Winger, 28 years, joined Real Madrid this summer)

Cesc Fabregas (Central Midfielder, 31 years, joined Monaco in the winter window) 

Squad breakdown by Position

With the transfer embargo in place Chelsea are unable to sign but also have been forced to sign longer terms with ageing members of their squad to whom they would usually give year on year deals. Giroud, William, Pedro and Luiz are all on the other side of 30 years old so the club would be looking to replace them long term.

For this season 19/20, with Cahill gone,  it is likely Zouma will be retain to provide competition to Rudiger, Luiz and Christensen. Zappacosta is not good enough to knock Azpilicueta out of the starting 11 so his squad position could betaken by Reece James so he can learn and progress. Mount can come in to provide competition in central midfield and save the club paying the buy out clause for Kovacic. Pulisic will provide competition for the established wide players at the club. With Morata having expressed his reluctance to return to Chelsea, its time to trust Giroud and Batshuayi with the centre forward position.

However, following the transfer ban, they would need to refresh the wingers with Pedro and William on the other side of 30. Also there would be need to refresh their forward options with Batshuayi yet to show that he can take the crown of Chelsea’s No 9. 2019/20 is probably his last to show he can hack it in the blue shirt. Giroud is on the other side of 30 so will need replacing as well as Luiz. Tomori and Abraham following another successful loan spell away from the club should be in the fram. Other talents note worthy of mention are Da Silva (LB) and Clarke-Salter (RB) both U21 England Internationals.

TRANSFER TARGETS OPTIONS

Centre Backs 

Fikayo Tomori 

Kalidou Koulibaly 

Attacking Midfielder

Gareth Bale 

Nicolas Pepe

Wilfred Zaha

Centre Forward

Mauro Icardi 

Callum Wilson

Tammy Abraham

Preferred Targets are

Tomori £0M

Zaha £80M

Pepe £70M

Wilson £50M

Abraham £0M

TOTAL: £200M

SUMMARY

With the transfer ban looming over, it is about time Chelsea take advantage of the extensive loan system and the quality youngsters from their academy.

Please subscribe, like, share or comment and stay in touch for more transfer analysis….

NEXT: Arsenal FC