Menu
Everyone at Chelsea knows that a lack of clinical finishing has been a big reason for their struggles this season. With 79 big chances missed in the Premier League — the second-highest total — it’s clear they need a reliable striker. Nicolas Jackson showed some early promise but has been a bit inconsistent, missing two months due to injury and wrapping up his season early because of suspension. His tally of ten goals in 30 league games has left Chelsea wanting more, even though they’re happy with the £31m they shelled out to Villarreal.
Chelsea firmly believes that adding a prolific forward would have already locked in Champions League football for next season. Instead, with just two league games left, the Blues are still in the hunt for a top-four finish. That’s why finding the right striker is the club’s number one priority this summer.
The shortlist includes Victor Osimhen from Napoli, Sporting Lisbon’s Victor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, Liam Delap from Ipswich, and Hugo Ekitike at Eintracht Frankfurt. All of these players are being seriously considered, and each transfer is being weighed for cost, competition, and suitability. Delap, for example, has a £30m release clause thanks to Ipswich’s relegation, which has also caught Manchester United’s eye. Osimhen and Gyokeres would set them back closer to £60m and come with hefty wages. Arsenal and Liverpool are also keeping an eye on the same targets, with Sesko and Gyokeres attracting interest from several top clubs across Europe.
Besides looking for a striker, Chelsea is also keen to boost the left wing with a right-footed attacker. During the January window, the club showed interest in Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens but decided not to make a formal offer. Both players are still on Chelsea’s radar.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers has popped up as a candidate too, but his recent contract renewal might make things a bit tricky. Still, the financial pressures from the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules could make Villa more open to a sale than we think.
There’s also some uncertainty around Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk. Chelsea has the option to sign Sancho permanently for about £20m to £25m, but they could dodge that commitment by triggering a £5m penalty clause. As for Mudryk, his provisional ban due to a failed drug test leaves his future up in the air.
Chelsea is checking out some options at centre-back too, especially since they need to juggle injuries and squad rotation. One target is Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who’s currently on loan from Juventus. While Real Madrid seems to be his top pick, it’s still a bit of a mystery whether they’ll cough up the £50m asking price.
Marc Guehi is another name on the radar. With just a year left on his Crystal Palace contract, he could be up for grabs. But Chelsea is being careful about the type of defender they bring in, looking for someone strong and sturdy to pair with the injury-prone but super talented Wesley Fofana. Mamadou Sarr, who just joined from RC Strasbourg, might be seen as enough backup if they can’t land a big signing.
Inside the club, there’s a growing vibe that the current squad could use some strong personalities and vocal leaders. Levi Colwill, at just 22, and Enzo Fernandez, aged 24, are among the few players who seem ready to step up. Reece James, while the club captain, is naturally a bit quiet and introverted, just like Moises Caicedo.
Enzo Maresca has openly pointed out the need to bring in some experienced players. While Chelsea is still all about young talent, they know that adding some mature, battle-tested pros will be key to closing the gap with title contenders like Liverpool.
Chelsea’s youth-first recruitment model is still going strong! The club has already splashed over £150m to bring in some exciting teenage stars like winger Estevao Willian, midfielder Kendry Paez, goalkeeper Mike Penders, and defensive midfielder Dario Essugo. These young talents are set to gradually blend into the squad, with some possibly heading out on loan.
Estevao is gearing up to join the first team after the Club World Cup, where he’ll be representing Palmeiras. Paez might get loaned out, while Penders and Essugo will either join the squad or play elsewhere to keep developing. Midfielder Andrey Santos is also expected to come back from Strasbourg to compete for minutes alongside Romeo Lavia and Fernandez.
Looking ahead, Chelsea has already locked in deals for Sporting winger Geovany Quenda and Kazakh talent Dastan Satpaev to join in 2026, with even more youth signings between 16 and 19 on the horizon!
Some fans are really hoping Chelsea will snag a new goalkeeper, especially since Robert Sanchez has made five errors that led directly to goals — the joint-most in the Premier League this season. But the club is still backing Sanchez, believing he’s got what it takes to be the long-term No. 1.
If needed, Chelsea has some promising backup options in Mike Penders, current No. 2 Filip Jorgensen, and Djordje Petrovic, who’s currently on loan at Strasbourg and catching some transfer interest.
Chelsea’s unique long-term contract strategy means that not many first-team players are close to running out of their deals. Most of the squad is locked in for several years, so there’s not much rush around renewals. However, Chelsea has already given Cole Palmer a sweet new deal to reward his amazing performances, extending his contract to 2033 even though he still has years left!
This summer will see some player sales to keep things balanced and avoid any squad drama, especially with new faces expected in attack and defense. Trevoh Chalobah will be told he can either embrace a backup role or find a new adventure. Christopher Nkunku, who’s had a tough time with fitness this season, is catching the eye of clubs abroad.
The club also plans to sell a few loanees, including Ben Chilwell (Crystal Palace), Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund), Armando Broja (Everton), Axel Disasi (Aston Villa), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Bournemouth), Joao Felix (AC Milan), and Renato Veiga (Juventus). Raheem Sterling, currently with Arsenal, will be asked to seek a new club, but his hefty £300,000-a-week wages might mean another loan deal with Chelsea chipping in on his salary.
While Moises Caicedo is seen as untouchable, and Palmer is in the same boat, the rest of the squad could be sold for the right price. Real Madrid has shown interest in Enzo Fernandez, but Chelsea would reportedly want more than the £107m they shelled out to Benfica in 2023.
Chelsea is all in on their plan to sign and develop top-notch youth talent. A lot of these signings will pass through partner club RC Strasbourg, which plays a similar style to Enzo Maresca’s team. The long-term goal is to get players ready there for a smooth transition into Chelsea’s senior squad within a year or two.
'A One-of-a-Kind Icon': Vardy's Legacy Will Live On at Leicester
Arsenal to Battle Man Utd for £50m Viktor Gyokeres Transfer
Liverpool in Turmoil: Salah’s Future Sealed Amid Contract Talks and a Possible Alexander-Arnold Exit
Why Liverpool’s Title Win Will Be Extra Special This Season