Chelsea’s summer state of play – Haaland transfer, Tuchel deal, potential exits

The change in fortunes at Chelsea this season means that for the first time in years, a huge summer overhaul isn’t required.

The Blues spent the best part of £220million to sign Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech, with Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr arriving on free transfers respectively.

Those seven players may have arrived under Frank Lampard’s watch but the Chelsea legend is no longer at the helm after being sacked in January.

While there were initial protests regarding his departure, the fans must recognise now that in hindsight, it was the correct decision.

That’s because his successor, Thomas Tuchel, has worked wonders to revitalise a team that was leaking goals and losing games with a worrying ease.

The German has led Chelsea to within touching distance of two trophies this season, with FA Cup and Champions League finals still to come in May.

Within the space of four months this squad, with a mixture of youthful exuberance of Mason Mount and experienced leaders such as Silva and Jorginho, look capable of challenging for honours again.

But there is still work to be done ahead of the upcoming transfer window, as Mirror Sport take a glance at the state of play in west London this summer…

Haaland transfer

If there is one evident area for improvement for the Blues, it would be the attacking department.

Tuchel has impressively tightened up the backline, with his side keeping 18 clean sheets since taking charge. But up front, goals have been hard to come by, with only 30 in 25 matches.

Werner and Havertz have only been responsible for six of those, highlighting the need for a regular goalscorer — and Borussia Dortmund frontman Erling Haaland fits that profile.

The 20-year-old can boast an incredible goalscoring record everywhere he has been and since joining Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020, he has notched 58 goals in 57 appearances.

The stumbling block is Dortmund’s reluctance to sell for anything less than £100m, which would make him the most expensive import in Premier League history. Romelu Lukaku has also been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge, but a similar fee would be required to convince Inter Milan to enter sell.

That could open the door to Sergio Aguero making a sensational move from newly-crowned champions Manchester City after it was announced the Argentinian would not be offered a new contract this summer.

The 32-year-old has a proven record in the Premier League with 182 goals in 274 appearances and, available as a free agent, he could prove to be an ideal replacement for Olivier Giroud if the Frenchman leaves this summer.

Potential departures

Chelsea’s bloated squad will need to be trimmed if there are to be any incomings this summer and Tuchel has already suggested he is content to leave the dealings to the club’s director Marina Granovskaia.

The 47-year-old will no doubt give his advice on which players he is willing to let go. That could include Tammy Abraham, Emerson Palmieri and Kepa Arrizabalaga, the trio whom have been linked with moves away from west London.

But there is also the ever-increasing list of loanees to resolve and the club will surely be looking for permanent destinations for many of their unwanted outcasts.

Fikayo Tomori, Michy Batshuayi, Danny Drinkwater, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Kenedy, Baba Rahman and Victor Moses all appear to be heading for the exit at Stamford Bridge, which would generate funds to be used for other transfers.

However, Tuchel may want to take a closer look at Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek before making a decision on their futures when they return from loan spells at Aston Villa and Fulham respectively.

Tuchel contract

Last but not least, Tuchel himself will be wondering what happens next after a whirlwind start to his Chelsea tenure.

There was some surprise when Chelsea only handed the former Dortmund coach an 18-month contract, which will expire in June 2022, with a three-year deal usually on offer for their permanent managers.

But it would represent an even bigger shock if the Blues decided against extending that deal in the coming months, and the Daily Mail report the club are preparing to hand him a bumper pay rise along with a two-year contract.

Tuchel has overseen 17 victories in his 25 games in charge, with just two defeats coming against West Brom and Porto, having all but secured their progress in the first leg victory.

Consider he has guided the team to an unexpected Champions League final and on the brink of FA Cup glory, it is difficult to pinpoint any room for improvement.

Tuchel has spoken of his happiness with life in London despite being away from his family in Germany and that could be crucial in convincing him to prolong his stay in the Premier League.

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