It has become very clear over the course of this season that Chelsea need an injection of quality. Hopes had been raised after their Club World Cup win that this team was ready to compete for the Premier League. Well, they now look unlikely to even qualify for the Champions League. In fact, they are closer to the bottom half of the table. And based on current form, it would not be a surprise to see them drop out of the European spots altogether.
That is not what BlueCo would have wanted to see after it had finally looked like the project was moving in the right direction. Sacking Enzo Maresca might have been a mistake. The Italian was getting the most out of this young squad. Liam Rosenior, on the other hand, looks completely out of his depth.
There have been some whispers that BlueCo might be willing to tweak its transfer policy in the summer. Fans will be hoping that turns out to be true. We will find out after this season.
For now, Chelsea continue to be linked with all kinds of players. Nick Woltemade, Murillo, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Jarrad Branthwaite and plenty of other names have been doing the rounds of the rumour mill. Now, another one has emerged. A Cobham graduate who has turned out to be world-class since he left.
Chelsea reportedly among frontrunners to sign Lewis Hall
BlueCo’s policy of constantly signing wonderkids has made it difficult for Cobham graduates to get a look-in at Chelsea. Quite a few of them have left. And some have made the Blues regret it.
Lewis Hall has to fall under that category. Even when at Chelsea, he showed flashes of his quality. He would eventually end up leaving for Newcastle United. And he is arguably the best left-back in the Premier League right now.
Could a return to Stamford Bridge be on the cards? Well, according to Caught Offside, Arsenal and Chelsea are leading the race to sign Hall. But Newcastle United’s firm stance means any potential move would require an extraordinary offer.
Would Hall be open to a Stamford Bridge return?
Well, quite a few players have left Chelsea and proven themselves elsewhere in recent times. Marc Guehi now finds himself at Man City. Tino Livramento has done exceptionally well, too. Christian Pulisic looks better than any option the Blues have on the flanks right now. But Hall might have the most potential of them all.
The fact that he is being regarded as the best left-back in the Premier League means that he is already playing at a world-class level. And at 21 years of age, he is only going to get better.
It will take a transfer fee north of £50 million to even get Newcastle United to the table. Perhaps even more. And then, why would Hall want to return to Chelsea after how things have turned out for them under BlueCo? Clubs like Arsenal, Man City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and more are believed to be keeping an eye on him.
