Out with the old and in with the new, if the Blues wants to challenge for titles next season these are the players it should pursue (assuming our transfer ban is postponed).

INS

Priority 1a: LUKA JOVIC

At the moment our club needs goals from the centre forward position. Alvaro Morata has scored 5 goals in 11 starts, Olivier Giroud has scored 2 goals in 7 starts, and Gonzalo Higuain has scored 3 goals in 9 starts. Combined the trio has scored 17.5% of our 57 league goals, which is a terrible return in comparison to the rest of the league. For comparison, Sergio Aguero has scored 23% of Manchester City’s 83 goals, having scored 19 goals so far. Mohammed Salah (who played 14 games as a centre forward) has scored 24% of Liverpool’s 75, Harry Kane has scored 28% of Tottenham Hotspurs 60, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Andrea Lacazette have combined to score 56% of Arsenals 65, and Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku have combined to score 34% of Manchester United’s 61 goals.

That brings us to the “Serbian Falcao”. The 21 year old has scored a league leading 30% of Eintrecht Frankfurts 56 goals having scored 17 goals so far. He will bring a “target man” element to the club that it has drastically missed since Diego Costa’s departure. The Serb is also an underrated passer of the ball has notched 5 assists so far this season. He’s the complete package and reports coming out of the press indicate that Roman Abramovich is a big admirer of Jovicsaid to be a close associate of the players agent, which should put us in pole position to complete a deal.

Potential transfer fee: 50m (rising to 60m with add-ons)

Priority 1b: NICOLAS PEPE

Whether or not Eden Hazard departs the club, it is clear that Chelsea needs help from the right wing position. In 23 starts Willian has scored 3 goals and registered 6 assists, Pedro has scored 8 goals and registered 1 assist, and Callum Hudson Odoi has only started 2 games, so it is unfair to judge him. Despite Hudson-Odoi only starting 2 games this season, fans may think he is the man to start at the right wing position moving forward, but I’m not sure he can be relied upon over an entire Premier League season. One player that would thrive in that position is Pepe. Playing mainly as a right attacking midfielder for Lille, the Ivory Coast international has scored 18 goals and chipped in with 9 assists. Manchester City has Sterling, Liverpool has Manè, if we can secure Pepe’s signature (perhaps with king Didier’s help) we could be one step away from challenging for a Premier League title.

Potential transfer fee: 70m (rising to 80m in add-ons)

WILFRED NDIDI

Now that the forward line is sorted out the club needs to turn our attention to its midfield. Assuming Matteo Kovacic signs permanently, the “regista” role will be solid. There are also multiple options for the left centre midfielder (LCM) role as well with Ruben Loftus Cheek, and Derby loanee, Mason Mount, as options. The one position that needs reinforcing, however, is the right centre midfielder (RCM). Currently there is no single player on the team that can occupy the RCM position other than Ngolo Kante, yet, there is a solution to this dilemma and it could comes from the player that replaced Kante at Leicester, Wilfried Ndidi. The Nigerian has quietly had a breakout season for Leicester City as he has averaged 3.7 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, and 2.2 clearances per game for the Foxes. It might be difficult to convince the Foxes to sell, especially because the 22 year old is contracted until 2024, but if his signature can be secured the club would not need worry about the RCM position for years to come.

Potential transfer fee: 40m (rising to 50m with add-ons)

Other option: IDRISSA GANA GUEYE

A more realistic target to strongly consider would be Everton’s, Idrissa Gana Gueye. Linked with PSG in January, the Senegalese international has been a revelation for the Toffees this season. He has averaged 4.3 tackles per game, 2.3 clearances, and 1.5 clearances per game. He’d bring much needed relief to the RCM position and will keep Ngolo Kante fresh in the long-term.

Potential transfer fee: 20m (rising to 30m with add-ons)

NABIL FEKIR

This is where the fun begins. Imagine Nabil Fekir occupying the LCM position slotting in right behind Hazard. Not only would he have acres of space to operate and drive forward, but he will also have space to supply our highflying trio with killer passes. In 20 starts this season the Frenchman has scored 9 league goals and has registered 5 assists. Injuries have unfortunately plagued the Frenchman’s season, but when he’d on the field, he’d add the creativity we have been missing all season and will score a few screamers in the process. Coming in for relief of Fekir (and hopefully keeping him fresh in the process), Ruben Loftus Cheek, and Mason Mount would be great rotational players for the RCM position.

Potential transfer fee 50m (rising to 60m with add-ons)

AARON WAN-BISSAKA

Now that the midfield is complete, it is time to turn to our defence. David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, Ethan Ampadu, and Everton and Derby loanees Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori make up solid centre back options, Azpilicueta and Zappacosta are great options at right back, but at left-back we are severely lacking a reliable option. Alonso is not good enough, and Emerson is better suited for a rotational role. Up steps Crystal Palace breakout Aaaron Wan Bissaka. Taking a note out of City’s playbook (when the Citizens snatched Kyle Walker from Spurs), the club must look in house to find a left-back replacement.

Wan Bissaka has been the Eagles best player this season averaging 3.8 tackles, 2.2 interceptions, and 3.5 clearances per game. Though the young Englishman is not without flaws (averaged less than 1 cross per game and a 73.2% pass success rate), defensively, he can be relied on.

Since Maurizio Sarri took over, the club has targeted the left side of the field 38% of the time, and if Fekir and Hazard will be occupying that side of the field, a solid left back will be needed.

The last area to address is goal keeper, but once Kepa Arrizablaga continues his stellar play between the sticks, rather than on the dugout, this is not an area needing improvement. Hopefully Caballero will choose to extend his contract with the Blues for one more season, and if not, the club should give Marcin Bulka a shot as the 2nd option.

Potential money from sales: 334m
Potential money spent: 300m

How Chelsea could lineup in the 2019-2020 season: (Wan-Bissaka at LB)

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It is always difficult to say goodbye to players that wear their hearts on their sleeves for the Blues, but business is business. Here are the players Chelsea need to sell this summer…

OUTS

What better place to start than with the current elephant in the room, Mr. MARCOS ALONSO MENDOZA. Whether the club is facing an impending transfer ban or not, he needs to go. He’s not fit to play in a four-in-the-back formation and he’s been given far too many chances to prove himself this season. His defensive frailties were always a topic of discussion among the Chelsea contingent, yet, in the past, he had popped up with crucial goals, which bought him time to gain the trust of the fans.

In the current campaign, however, he’s scored a grand total of one goal, which came versus Arsenal in week 2 of the Premier League season. To his credit, he has also chipped in with 4 assists, but his calamitous defending has costed the club multiple points and his attacking returns are simply not good enough this time around.

Further outlining the critical need to find a capable replacement at the left back position is the fact that Chelsea, under Maurizio Sarri, have occupied the left side of the field 38% of the time.

Potential Transfer Fee: 40-45m

Some fans may not agree with this selection, but it is what is best for both parties. This inclusion is by no means related to ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN’S performances this season, rather, it is due to his current role in the club. Week in and week out the Danish centre-back is fighting for a starting berth behind David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger, which has forced him to the bench. He’s registered a total of 3 appearances this season, which for a player of his quality, is not good enough. If the right offer comes in Chelsea should strongly consider selling.

Potential transfer fee: 45-50m

It is easy to forget that GARY CAHILL is still on the books at Chelsea due to his current role as a reserve centre-back for the club. He’s made a lone cameo in the league coming on for 21 minutes during a game at West Ham earlier on in the season. The towering defender is no longer in the plans of the club and he should easily find a suitor elsewhere.

Potential transfer fee: 8-12m

Another potential unpopular decision in this column is to end the ROSS BARKLEY experiment. It was fun while it lasted, but it is time to wash our hands with our current number 8 (*vomits a little bit in my mouth). The Englishman has shown his quality in spurts, yet, he continues to be far too inconsistent to warrant a role in this team.

In his 12 league appearances this season he has scored 3 goals and registered 4 assists, which is by no means a bad return, but we have other quality midfielders on the rise such as Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus Cheek to replace this production.

Potential transfer fee: 30-35m

It seems like such a short time ago VICTOR MOSES was one of the first names on the team sheet having developed into a great wingback under Antonio Conte. These days, however, the Nigerian has been deemed surplus to requirements. Currently enjoying his time on loan at Fenerbahce till the end of the season, the Nigerian winger will most likely pursue a permanent deal with the Turkish giants, or find another suitor.

Potential transfer fee: 11-18m

When PEDRO has been good this season he has been really good, but we have not seen it consistently enough to continue to trust the Spaniard to carry the club forward. In 19 league appearances he has registered 8 goals and 1 assist. He has not been the worst player in a Chelsea jersey this season, but it is time to inject new blood into the club. Christian Pulisic’ arrival is imminent and the development of Callum Hudson Odoi remains a priority for the club, so for those reasons Pedro is, unfortunately, the weakest link and must go.

Potential transfer fee: 20-25m

Though he is a fan favourite (more-so for his presence on social media than his performances) MICHY BATSHUAYI needs to find playing time elsewhere. Unfortunately for the Belgian, he has played his best football away from Chelsea (at Borussia Dortmund & Crystal Palace) and when called upon, he has fell short.

Potential transfer fee: 30-35m

Other notable transfers out:
Lucas Piazon: 3m
Kasey Palmer: 3m
Tomas Kalas: 3m
Matt Miazga: 4m
Abdul Baba Rahman: 5m
Lewis Baker: 5m
Charly Musonda Jr.: 5m
Izzy Brown: 5-8m
Ola Aina: 10m
Mario Pasalic 8-10m
Kenedy: 15m
Tiémoué Bakayoko: 35-40m
Alvaro Morata: 50m

Potential summer transfer war chest: 334m

Thank you for reading! Tune in next week for the follow-up article on how Chelsea can utilize the 334m to purchase new additions to the club.