Chelsea have made strides to strengthen this transfer window, have they not? After securing the signing of Marko Marin from Werder Bremen, they quickly announced the arrival of Eden Hazard from Lille last week. With the potential of Hulk joining later on in the summer, the Blues will be keen on strengthening sooner rather than later as they look to build on their Champions League win last month. With the latest Chelsea transfer rumours linking the club with a host of players, this transfer window is certainly going to be an important one for the West London side.
Like many of Europe’s heavyweights, Chelsea have seen a host of big name performers linked with a big money move to Stamford Bridge. Hazard and Marin are certain to bolster the attacking strength of the Blues, whilst a replacement for the outgoing Didier Drogba will be of particular importance for the club. As mentioned, Hulk is looking more and more likely to join as the transfer window rumbles on as they look to fill the void that the burly Ivory Coast international will undoubtedly leave.
The front-line is likely to be the priority for Chelsea this summer with the current first-team, defensively, looking capable of hold their own for the next season, at least. Petr Cech is only 30 and likely to continue to retain his place between the posts for the next three-years, at least. On top of that, Thibaut Courtois only arrived last summer from Racing Genk and after spending last season, and likely the next one, on loan, the future of Chelsea’s goalkeeper is all but sorted.
Defensively, a right-back will certainly be needed after it was Jose Bosingwa and Paulo Ferreira were to be released following the end of the campaign for the club. A number of players have been linked with possible moves to the club, Gregory van der Wiel of Ajax the standout candidate to make the move to England. John Terry, David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic, the latter of which can play at right-back anyway, will be the four in the heart of the defence. Furthermore on his day, Ashley Cole is still the world’s best left-back, with Ryan Bertrand his understudy.
In the midfield, Frank Lampard still has the capability to perform on the biggest stage, but the Blues will be needed to think about life after the England man, with the goalscoring midfielder 34 later this month. Lucas Piazon is ready in the reserve to step in, but the Champions League holders have since been linked with a move for Sao Paolo youngster Lucas Moura. However, they will be facing stiff competition from Real Madrid for the midfielders signature so will need to act quickly if they are to snare their man.
However, with Ramires, John Obi Mikel and Raul Meireles still under each under 30, the three are more than capable of shouldering the responsibility of holding the Blues midfield. The club are likely to release Florent Malouda, Michael Essien and Saloman Kalou this summer, freeing up funds for wages of possible incomers, so strengthening may be needed in the future, but as with Cech, the time hasn’t arrived just yet.
Nevertheless, this summer is set to be of massive importance for Chelsea. The Champions League win will likely increase the transfer coffers of the club, meaning more money can be spent of new arrivals this window. A host of big name players, Edinson Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Douglas Costa to name three, have already been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge and if they are to reclaim their top four spot next season, the money they will receive will need to spent in order to build on their recent success.