A successful 2016/17 Premier League campaign, which saw Chelsea sit atop the table for the majority of the season, ended in title victory – but defeat in the FA Cup final to Arsenal besmirched their honour enough to ask: where do Chelsea need to strengthen this season?
Manager Antonio Conte did a terrific job in his debut season at the helm of the Pensioners in English football, but one can be sure that club owner Roman Abramovich will want to see his club making waves in Europe in 2017/18.
So, let’s examine exactly where Conte needs to strengthen and which players could transform them into continental champions as well as domestic kings again.
#1 Striker – Romelu Lukaku?
Diego Costa scored 20 league strikes last season, which placed him fourth on the charts, behind Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane. That’s not a bad haul for a world-class striker, but Chelsea fans will probably have expected more considering he didn’t have European football to distract him.
Lukaku has already decided his future, meaning a move away from Everton is on the cards, and Chelsea look like a very suitable destination.
The towering, skilful Belgian centre-forward did not have a happy time during his last spell with the Blues, but with Diego Costa having been told he is ‘no longer wanted’ by the club, Lukaku would become the team’s no.1 striker.
Having netted 25 league goals last term, Lukaku has the necessary clinical finish, plus his physical strength, natural height and excellent close control make him an ideal replacement for the equally domineering Costa.
The Belgium international’s hold-up play, ability to create chances for team-mates (as attested to by his seven league assists) and his overall confident style would make him the perfect addition to a club looking to dominate across all four fronts next campaign.
His price tag of around £80 million is not cheap, but the classy forward should be worth every penny as he makes a triumphant return to Stamford Bridge.
#2 Central midfielder – Aleksandr Golovin?
Tipped to become a future star for the Russian national team, Aleksandr Golovin has been linked with Chelsea in recent times. The 21-year-old midfielder would be a real indication that Conte is looking to stay at the Bridge for the long term, as it would be an investment in youth.
But would the youngster have enough quality to make a serious impact?
Well, he has already been likened to the visionary Mesut Ozil, likes to score goals and has been selected as the creative hub of Russia’s Confederations Cup bid for glory on home soil this month – not bad for a guy who is a relative unknown on the mainstream European market.
Golovin is a sublimely good passer of the ball and could be drafted in as the perfect replacement for Cesc Fabregas should the Spaniard depart in the summer.
#3 Winger – Riyad Mahrez?
Riyad Mahrez won the 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year award as Leicester City marched to their shock Premier League title victory, and many of his fans are hopeful that he can replicate that form at an even bigger club next season.
Although the Algerian international did not enjoy such a good campaign as the Foxes completed a poor defence of their league crown, Mahrez still produced flashes of his genius through the mid-table campaign.
Chelsea’s Conte is reportedly interested in bringing Mahrez on board, especially following the star’s claim that the Blues are an ‘incredible club’ a few weeks back.
Despite only netting six times and grabbing three assists in the league, it is unquestionable how much of a talent the current Leicester man is – his ability to play on the flanks, his movement, dead-ball specialty, his fondness for scoring exquisite goals and his innate world-class ability mean that, when he is performing at his best, he is good enough to prise open even the most staunch of European defences.
Chelsea fans would love to get the former league champion on board and it would be interesting to see the 26-year-old back to his best, especially with Conte putting his wing around him. It’s certainly an exciting prospect.
#4 Full-back – Alex Sandro?
It will take a phenomenal bid from Chelsea to lure Alex Sandro away from Juventus – but £35 million might just be enough.
The Old Lady wingback is one of the best attacking full-backs in world football right now – alongside the likes of Marcelo, Dani Alves and even Chelsea’s very own Marcos Alonso.
But, after a heartbreaking 4-1 UEFA Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, it’s not difficult to imagine that Sandro might opt for a new, fresh challenge abroad. Conte is clearly building something special at Chelsea and Sandro might be tempted at the possibility of becoming part of it.
Knowing that Madrid are kings of Europe, and that the Blues are constructing a force good enough to knock them off their perch, Sandro could jump ship now and help. His pacey play, excellent crossing ability and terrific engine are all attributes which would suit Conte’s system, too.
#5 Central defender – Van Dijk or Bonucci?
It’s no secret that Conte likes to have a strong defence at his disposal – playing three world-class defenders at the back is a crucial element to his system. Leonardo Bonucci is a top target for Conte – while the talented Virgil van Dijk is wanted by several clubs.
Bonucci and Conte have already worked together in the Italian national set-up, a combination which worked well – the Italian centre back would be the ideal rock to place at the heart of Conte’s defence and would further strengthen a rearguard which was the best in England last term.
With John Terry now gone for good, Bonucci could become the veritable leader, and captain, that the club needs. Van Dijk would not be Conte’s first choice, but if Juventus are not tempted by a big offer, then the Southampton man would not be a bad back-up option.
