Nine Premier League teams will play in Europe next season, but Chelsea will not be among them.
This is an obstacle, but it’s one that hasn’t stopped Xabi Alonso from moving to west London, ready and eager to take over this ambitious project and bring Chelsea back into the limelight.
The Blues’ end-of-season defeat at Sunderland ended their hopes of saving a ticket to Europe, but you only need to look at Manchester United and their recent resurgence to learn the benefits of ending a reduced schedule.
However, productions have emerged, with Enzo Fernandez’s hopes high of completing a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
How Chelsea plan to replace Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea are willing to accommodate a move for Fernandez this summer, but will demand a staggering £120m, which has so far deterred suitors.
Real Madrid are among the most interested parties, but even Los Blancos consider Chelsea’s transfer demands unreasonable. However, they have a solution.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea’s discussions regarding a possible transfer of Fernandez have turned to Aurelien Tchouameni, who could be added as a makeweight.
Priced at £70m and coveted by Manchester United, the Frenchman is one of the best in the business, and while he may not be a frustrated distributor like Fernandez, he will bolster Alonso’s midfield and then some.
Chouameni has been part of a much-discussed public spat with teammate Fede Valverde, so a summer exit could represent a welcome opportunity that would suit all parties involved.
Chouameni could be better than Chelsea’s Matic
Tchouameni’s attacking midfield game is supported by knowing who and what he is as a footballer, keeping it cool but calculated in football.
In that, he has all the qualities to develop into Chelsea’s new version of Nemanja Matic, who was hailed by Jose Mourinho in 2014 as “the best player” in the squad – a title-winning team that also included the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and others.
In La Liga this season, Tchouameni has put behind him his injury problems of recent years, playing mostly under Alonso and then Alvaro Arbeloa, completing 91% of his passes and winning 68% of his duels, absurd numbers that point to his world-class quality.
The 26-year-old has struggled in the past, but has always been asked for big things, joining the Spanish powerhouse from AS Monaco in 2022 – a deal with a total fee of £84m.
Once considered the future of France, Tchouameni is now one of the worst six in the world, in fact he is considered “the best defensive midfielder in the world” by his former teammate Chema Andres.
Bolstering a shaky and uncertain Chelsea squad with his cool and solid midfield skills, Tchouameni will allow Cole Palmer to re-establish himself as the Blues’ most important attacking midfielder. It could also result in some unprecedented attacking links this year, especially if BlueCo sign a striker from the Stamford Bridge side.
What’s more, he has title-winning experience at the highest level, and will provide Alonso with a calm presence that his team-mates can draw inspiration from as they push to return to the top.
Matic was always great. It is always in the right place. He constantly studies the competition and stays one step ahead. However, Tchouameni may be an even bigger talent, controlling the quality of the game, controlling the pace, while bringing a fearlessness that few are born with.
Manchester United have their own interest, and Chelsea cannot allow Tchouameni to end up at Old Trafford; he could end up being a player of all time for the Londoners.
Better than Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea hold talks to sign £100m midfielder
Chelsea have entered talks with the midfielder leading the charge over a move to Stamford Bridge.
