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As the English Champions wait for the transfer window to open on July 1, invariably my mind goes on to next season. Agreed, we have been nothing short of extraordinary this season and it may seem that the same may go on for the next season as well, but the unpredictability of the Premier League prevents me from doing so.
With previous champions in recent memory, namely Manchester United and City failing horribly to defend their crown, it is clear that constant improvements to the squad is a necessary requirement to cement your place for continued success.
Even though reports have suggested that we may have a large transfer kitty for next season, I have tried to keep in mind the FFP regulations while stating my expectations for next season, so don’t expect any calls for Messi or even Pogba for that matter.
With that in mind, here are the necessary changes I feel that the current Chelsea squad needs for next season in order to have a shot at retaining their current crowns, as well as having a crack at the Champions League next season.
GOALKEEPER
With the season that has gone by it is safe to assume that Big Pete won’t be with us next season and with Jamal Blackman not exactly ready to ply his trade with the first team as of now, we really need to acquire a steady back-up for Courtois.
With Petr Cech’s move to Arsenal in a £10.9 million deal all but confirmed, a competent backup for our young Belgian is required. Keeping in mind the homegrown quota for the squad, here are a couple of options that I would be happy to see at Chelsea next season.
Rob Green
Even though Rob Green was part of a horrendous QPR defence that conceded a mammoth 73 goals last season, he has shown glimpses of admirable shot stopping this season and has held his own with a respectable save percentage of 69% (higher than Begovic, Howard and Krul) while also making a league high 104 saves along the way.
With QPR relegated to the Championship after just one season in the top flight, one would think Green wouldn’t mind being a backup at a top team next season and his home grown status proves to be an added incentive for the Blues.
John Ruddy
John Ruddy is a player who has been linked with Chelsea in the past and who would be my preferred buy for the team next season. With a solid season in the Championship with Norwich (14 clean sheets, 5th in the goalkeeper’s list) and proven Premier League quality he would provide a stable understudy to Courtois whenever required.
However, with Norwich City one of the 3 newly promoted teams in the Premier League, it would be difficult to convince the Englishman to leave a starting spot and sit on the bench, even if it is for the Blues.
Asmir Begovic
Recent reports have indicated that Stoke will demand £8million and Victor Moses from Chelsea in any deal for Bosnian keeper Asmir Begovic. While such a deal on paper looks a bit expensive for a backup goalkeeper, Begovic is proven Premier League quality and his rather surprising homegrown status would again help us when the squads need to be submitted.
DEFENCE
With Nathan Ake and Tomas Kalas rumoured to be going on loan to Middlesborough and Luis supposedly being used as a bargaining chip for the Griezmann transfer, Chelsea may be starting the season with as less as 5 recognized defenders. As far as the defence is concerned, I think any one of Toby Alderweireld, Baba Rahman or even Samuel Umtiti could be secured.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
It was thought at the start of the season that with the addition of Fabregas to Chelsea’s midfield, no new reinforcements will be required for some time. Even though he has exceeded to some extent in the double pivot alongside Matic, and has shown tremendous improvement in his defensive duties, he still sometimes leaves Matic isolated (example Tottenham-Away).
Such situations have forced Mourinho to field Ramires in the majority of the big games since then. For all of Ramires’s energy, direct running and work rate he is just not suitable for the double pivot due to his disciplinary issues and his poor passing range. Irrespective of the Pogba’s the Koke’s and even Oscar playing in a deeper role, I feel the solution is sitting right under our noses, and he may just be available for transfer this summer.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Morgan Schneiderlin is the dream player to have in a double pivot. Big, strong and disciplined enough to do the donkey work, but with the adequate amount of flair to spread quality passes to our frontline.
Indeed, over the past two Premier League seasons, no player has had a higher combined total of tackles and interceptions than Schneiderlin’s 466.This year he managed an average of 4 defensive actions a game which makes him an ideal man to have when defending.
However, all his defensive steel doesn’t affect his attacking qualities.This season he managed 4 goals and an assist in the league but has a solid passing percentage of 89% of which 76% were forward passes.
His successful partnership with Victor Wanyama at Southampton and his relative experience in the Premier League make him the ideal signing for the Blues. In the big games, Mourinho can easily play Matic and Schneiderlin in central midfield with Fabregas in the No.10 role.
This will allow him to keep solidity at the back while preventing him from sacrificing the attacking needs of the team at the front. With Schneiderlin aiming to play in the Champions League, I would love to see him wearing Blue this summer.
However, any deal would need to be completed quickly as several reports suggest he may sign for Manchester United this summer.
Axel Witsel
One player who has been linked to Chelsea in almost every transfer window over the past few years is Belgian Midfield maestro Axel Witsel. Capable of playing in both central and attacking midfield, Witsel would be the perfect foil for Nemanja Matic.
A midfield three of Fabregas, Matic and Witsel would certainly allow Chelsea to control the tempo of the match against big teams. Add to that his strength, aerial prowess and a passing range which is better than our Brazilian No.7, he would certainly prove to be a solid signing.
The only stumbling block I feel is his price tag as Zenit bought him for £32.5 million and they would surely be looking for a profit when and if Witsel decides to move on.
Attacking Midfield
As the past two transfer windows have ended we have certainly felt that we have done great business. But in hindsight I feel we certainly could have been a bit smarter. Yes the arrival of Matic has certainly transformed us and the signing of Cuadrado is too early to judge right now, but the loss of Schurrle and Mata has certainly taken its toll on the attacking side of the Chelsea squad as the season has worn on. I still think we are one attacking player short in our current squad and a hefty price would ensure it being filled by a rather awesome haired Frenchman.
Antoine Griezmann
When Griezmann was bought by Atletico for €30 million last year, a few eyebrows were raised on whether the flamboyant winger could adapt to Simeone’s robust, work-horse, tactically disciplined setup. However, with a few months of acclimatisation, Griezmann was ready to carry the goal scoring mantle for Atletico with a total of 25 goals in 42 games last season.
With Chelsea depending on Hazard and Costa for the majority of the goals last season and the midfield struggling to come up with the goods in terms of finding the back of the net (Terry was the 4th highest scorer for us last season!) a goalscoring threat from midfield is certainly required next season, and Griezmann provides exactly that.
Capable of playing on the shoulder of the opposition defence, his darting runs behind the defence would certainly be fruitful for us. His predatory instincts in front of goal and his versatility to play across the front three would certainly be an added bonus for Mourinho.
FORWARD
Three strikers for one position seems ideal for any squad. But when you consider that one of the 3 strikers is a woefully out of form Colombian (Still not official!) and another has a dodgy hamstring, that three certainly looks pretty fallible.
Even though I have high hopes of Patrick Bamford, I still think he needs another full season under his belt to truly compete at Chelsea. With top quality centre forwards present in limited quantity right now, this is certainly the area where the most work is required.
Players like Antonio Lacazette have been linked to Chelsea in the past but I personally feel that someone in the mould of Charlie Austin or Javier Hernandez (Both of whom will be available in the summer) will be better fits in the sides.
The predatory instincts of both strikers and their proven record in the premier league can certainly go a long way in solving the striker problems Chelsea have experienced this summer. However, another striker would only be needed if Loic Remy decides to look for regular football next season.
Yes I know there have been a lot of impressive loan spells this season for Chelsea players, namely Traore and Bamford but I still think they need a bit more experience to challenge our midfield as of now. As far as our youth players such as Loftus-Cheek and Ake are concerned, I wouldn’t mind a greater number of appearances for them next season. Let’s hope for the best next season!
