The summer transfer window might still be some time away. Before it opens, Chelsea still have a lot of meaningful football to play. The Blues will be hoping to turn things around after the international break and secure qualification to the Champions League. At the same time, the FA Cup will be on their minds as well. It is a chance at silverware, something that has been rare at Stamford Bridge in recent times.
That being said, Chelsea should already be laying the foundations of what promises to be one of the most important summer windows in the club’s history. The BlueCo project is at a crossroads right now.
Four seasons into the project, there has been little in the name of success. Initially, it had been projected that it would take them four transfer windows to build one of the most dominant squads in Europe. Things have proven much more difficult than they would have anticipated. And now, key players might be looking to leave.
That jeopardises the future of the BlueCo project. Enzo Fernandez is someone who has a foot out the door at Chelsea right now. Incidentally, the Blues appear to have their eyes set on a midfielder who scored for Argentina this week against Zambia.
Chelsea closing in on signing of Argentine midfielder as Enzo Fernandez looks to leave
According to Simon Phillips, Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Valentin Barco from Strasbourg this summer. The plans for him are unclear but the Blues are looking to sign him to fend off interest from other clubs. There is a chance he stays at the French club for another season before officially moving to Stamford Bridge.
Barco has been a success story at Strasbourg this season. And heading into the World Cup, he is involved in the Argentina national team picture as well.
While Barco was largely known for being a left-back in his time playing for Boca Juniors in Argentina, he has reinvented himself at Strasbourg. Right now, he is one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1.
Liam Rosenior will know Valentin Barco well
One advantage that Barco will have at Chelsea is that Rosenior knows him well from their time together at Strasbourg. Of course, that is if the manager remains in place. There have been plenty of questions about his post in recent weeks on the back of four-straight defeats.
If Chelsea do end up signing Barco, it might further anger the Strasbourg fans as well. The Blues have continuously gone in and signed the best players from their sister club at BlueCo. Naturally, it has not gone down well with the supporters of the French side, who have become somewhat of a feeder team.
