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Osimhen signs, along with Felix, Nkunku, Rice, and Gvardiol - Chelsea's team next season

talksport.com, 23 March 2023, 13:14
A staggering £600million later, and there are still 12 Premier League teams with more goals than Chelsea.

Todd Boehly's record-breaking splurge so far hasn't worked, but he's willing to be patient.

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Keeping faith in Graham Potter despite Champions League football next season looking gone, the big spending project is far from over.

The foundations have certainly been set with young world-class upgrades all over the pitch, but the Blues' deficiencies are still glaring.

Goalscoring isn't the only issue, but a huge one, with Kai Havertz struggling to take the load.

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Thomas Tuchel favourite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a certainty to depart, leaving space up top.

Inter Milan have said they won't be taking Romelu Lukaku permanently, giving Chelsea even more work in the sales department.

But once that is dealt with, there could be a huge incoming.

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Napoli have done it again with Victor Osimhen and look set for another huge fee like they got for Gonzalo Higuain and Edinson Cavani.

Numbers have been quoted in the £150m range for the free-scoring 24-year-old, who is guiding Napoli to a first title since the Diego Maradona days with 26 goals in 29 matches.

With Chelsea and Manchester United linked to the Nigerian there will be doubts over such a price, but should he continue scoring every type of goal and Napoli continue progressing in the Champions League, Boehly and Co. will be further convinced.

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Accompanying him up top will likely be Christopher Nkunku, who has been signed by the Blues, but not yet officially announced.

The RB Leipzig and France forward was one of the hottest properties in Europe after a stunning 35-goal 2021/22 campaign, and he will hope to discover that form at Stamford Bridge after injury problems.

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Helping him do that on the other side could be Joao Felix, with many Blues fans already convinced by the on-loan forward.

Chelsea paid a staggering £10m just to get the Portuguese for half a season from Atletico Madrid, and he then picked up a three-game ban on debut.

But it's a testament to how good he's been that both the price and the red card haven't distracted from the sheer class Felix has brought to Stamford Bridge, and he's already talked up staying long term.

Speaking of sheer class, Enzo Fernandez has shown glimpses in midfield since becoming the Premier League's record signing at £106m, but he may need some help.

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Despite the crazy money Chelsea have spent, they've often been caught short in midfield, with many central options not looking up to the job.

Jorginho has already left for Arsenal, while N'Golo Kante could depart too, and Mason Mount has been linked with Liverpool.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher look destined to be part of a summer clearout, leaving room for another big name.

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Declan Rice has long been linked with the Blues, having come through their academy, and when playing at his best, West Ham were demanding £100m for the captain.

However, with the Hammers struggling this season and another year ticked off Rice's contract, Chelsea could now pounce, and secure their midfield for the next decade.

In defence, Josko Gvardiol continues to be linked after a £70m move from Leipzig collapsed last summer and the defender has since talked about how difficult it was to lose out on his Premier League 'dream'.

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Thiago Silva isn't getting any younger at 38, and Kalidou Koulibaly looks set to leave, meaning Gvardiol could join Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile in a refreshed and enviable centre-back stable.

Behind them doubts remain over both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Eduoard Mendy in goal, with Potter quickly losing faith in the latter.

David Raya is hot property with his Brentford contract expiring in 2024, and offers of an extension already turned down.

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Chelsea and Tottenham have both been linked, and Stamford Bridge could see a new undisputed no.1 for the first time since Thibaut Courtois left.

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