Despite the fact that Chelsea had signed Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, there is still a ton of business to be done. For his second full season as the Blues’ head coach, Thomas Tuchel is reorganizing his team, with additions to the defense, midfield, and attack still possible.
Prior to a hectic last two months of the transfer season, there are also sales on the schedule, some of which are more high-profile than others. Express Sport lists Tuchel’s ideal 25-man team for the next season, which includes a total of six new players.
GK: Bettinelli, Mendy, and Kepa
The goalkeeping choices for Tuchel should be the same as they were in the last campaign, with Edouard Mendy being his top choice, Kepa Arrizabalaga serving as his backup, and Marcus Bettinelli coming in third. Kepa, though, could seek out a starting position elsewhere, and Chelsea is rumored to be considering young Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina as a potential substitute.
DEF: Koulibaly, Kounde, Kimpembe, James, Sarr, Chalobah, Chilwell, and Thiago Silva
Following the free agency departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, Chelsea will have a new-look defense for the 2022–23 season. Cesar Azpilicueta, the club captain, is anticipated to join them in La Liga, while Marcos Alonso may also go back to his own country.
The Blues have already acquired Koulibaly, but Todd Boehly is hoping to make an impression during his first summer transfer window as owner by bringing in two more well-known center-backs. They continue to hold discussions with Presnel Kimpembe of Paris Saint-Germain and appear to have beaten Barcelona to Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Gallagher, and De Jong make up the MID.
The majority of Tuchel’s midfield will remain the same as it was last season, but Conor Gallagher’s return from his productive loan at Crystal Palace is a huge plus. The England international takes Saul Niguez’s position. Niguez had opposite success to Gallagher and has since returned to Atletico Madrid.
However, rumors in Spain claim that Chelsea may be looking to add to its roster in order to impede Manchester United’s persistent pursuit of Frenkie de Jong. Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, or Mateo Kovacic may be moving toward the exit door if De Jong, who arrived from Barcelona, were to enter the room.
Sterling’s intriguing arrival, which may turn out to be the deal of the summer transfer window, will also give Chelsea’s assault a new appearance this season. Although the futures of Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner are questionable, neither player is more likely to go than Hakim Ziyech, who is in negotiations with AC Milan.
And with the growing interest in Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin, Tuchel might not stop with Sterling. Tuchel has made it seem as though he could give Michy Batshuayi the chance to resurrect his Stamford Bridge career if Chelsea’s pursuit of the flamboyant Frenchman falls through.
