With the English Premier League title all but wrapped up, Chelsea’s board and fans are slowly turning their attention to next season and the players that they should acquire.
Admittedly, it is very difficult to improve the squad that Antonio Conte has at his disposal, but there are some quality players out there capable of improving any squad in the world.
Acquire another Left Back
Buying a left back is a must for Chelsea this summer. Marcos Alonso has been playing down the left flank so far this season and he has performed quite alright. However, a club of Chelsea’s stature surely needs something better.
Conte’s back-up options for left back are Cesar Azpillicueta and Pedro. Both of them are not natural left backs and using any of them at left back will mean moving them away from their normal playing positions where they are at their best.
That’s why it comes as no surprise that Chelsea have been asking about the services of Genoa’s Diego Laxalt. He is a pacy left wing back / winger and has been one of the most tenacious players in Genoa’s underperforming squad this season.
He doesn’t have the star tag attached to his name and will probably come at a cheaper price than even Marcos Alonso. He is quick, is a good tackler and is very difficult to shake off when he is marking, making him the ideal counter measure to pacy opposition wingers. Incidentally, this has been Alonso’s weakness this season.
More Bodies in Midfield
Chelsea have one of the best midfields in the world with players such as Kante and Matic providing the steel, muscle and running and players such as Cesc Fabregas providing the creative spark to break down parked buses.
However, with the Champions League returning to West London, the Blues must acquire at least one more midfielder who will be used in the rotation of players. And Conte’s ideal man seems to be Atalanta’s Franck Kessie.
The 20 year old Ivorian is a defender who has been turned into a midfielder. He is tall, strong, difficult to beat and has very good technique with the ball at his feet. Lots of teams are interested in his services and Conte should use all of his Italian connections to get this transfer done.
Bring a Backup for Diego
Michy Batshuayi seems to have been the only bad buy that Conte made this season. That’s why the Italian is now looking to make amends for his mistake by acquiring a better backup for Costa.
Luckily, the Italian shouldn’t look very far since his best option, Alexis Sanchez, is only a few miles away. The Chilean will be sought after this summer as both Arsenal and his agent have privately said that contract extension talks have broken down.
And Chelsea would be foolish to miss out on a world class player capable of playing anywhere across the front four.