Chelsea FC News: Dortmund winger in toe, a Thiago Silva replacement, finding a superstar striker, and more
More Money, Less Problems?
Since Todd Boehly and his Clearlake partners assumed control, the Blues have spent an impressive sum of money, exceeding one billion pounds, on acquiring new players. A significant portion of these signings were youthful, with many of them being teenagers and aged 25 or under at the time of their arrival.
Consequently, it is no surprise that Chelsea has encountered difficulties again at the start of this season. The club appears willing to endure short-term challenges if they ultimately lead to long-term benefits.
Reports suggest Chelsea became enamoured with bringing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens from Borussia Dortmund to Stamford Bridge.
Bynoe-Gittens, a 19-year-old right-footed left winger, moved to Dortmund from Manchester City in 2020. He has already made six appearances for Dortmund this season, primarily as a substitute.
Silva Out, Todibo In?
Chelsea could usher in Jean-Clair Todibo, as he received confirmation from his current club, Nice, that they are willing to sell him in 2024.
The Blues have highlighted the young Frenchman as a potential replacement for Thiago Silva at centre-back, whose contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season. Although Silva is still considered one of the Premier League’s top defenders, he is approaching the end of his career.
His club has informed Todibo that he will be allowed to depart next year, making him a possible candidate to fill Silva’s position in the squad. The former Barcelona player has had a successful tenure on the French Riviera since his move from the La Liga giants, establishing himself over two seasons and a bit.
Ollie Watkins to Chelsea?
Reportedly, Chelsea is considering the possibility of signing Ollie Watkins in January. The team is in dire need of reinforcements up front, as Nicolas Jackson has struggled to make an impact since joining Stamford Bridge in the summer.
With eleven games of the 2024/24 in the bag, three wins, three draws, and four losses, with a mere 13 goals scored, it is unquestionably a cause for concern. There aren’t any Chelsea fans and bettors alike rushing to the best betting apps UK to place wagers on The Blues, unlike in previous years, and this club is almost unrecognisable compared to the squad which lifted the 2021 UEFA Champions League.
Bringing in Watkins could be a complex move, as he recently committed his future to Aston Villa by signing a contract extension until 2028. Despite this, according to the Si Phillips Talks Chelsea Substack, Chelsea is still exploring the option of acquiring him during the winter transfer window to address their scoring issues.
Watkins has been in excellent goal-scoring form this season. The Englishman has scored nine goals in 16 appearances across all competitions for Villa, marking his best start to a season in their claret and blue colours.
However, it is believed that Watkins is being considered as a backup option in case Chelsea fails to secure the signature of Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who is looking to leave the club. The Bees have set a price tag of no less than £80 million for their highly-regarded striker, who is set to return to competitive football on January 17 after serving an eight-month ban for breaching the FA’s betting rules.
Justified Released: Havertz and Mount
Chelsea’s decision to undergo a major overhaul in their squad during the summer transfer window has possibly been vindicated. The club has experienced a period of transition under new ownership, resulting in significant changes both off and on the field.
Two notable departures from Chelsea were Kai Havertz and Mason Mount, who joined Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively, for a combined fee exceeding £120 million. These two players had memorable moments at Chelsea, most notably when they combined to score the winning goal in the Champions League final against Manchester City.
The performances of Mount and Havertz at the start of the season might justify Chelsea’s decision to reshape their squad and move in a different direction. Unfortunately, Havertz has encountered difficulties finding a consistent position at Arsenal, a familiar issue that plagued him during his time at Stamford Bridge. Mount, on the other hand, has faced injury concerns at United, which have hindered his ability to settle into his new environment.
