It is safe to say that Chelsea need to strengthen their squad significantly in the summer transfer window. The reports coming out in the media over the last couple of months have suggested that BlueCo are ready to tweak their transfer strategy. They will look to add some ‘ready-made’ players to the Blues’ ranks. It remains to be seen if that ends up happening or not.
Of course, a lot depends on how you define ‘ready-made’. Is it someone who has played at the highest level and won things? Or is it someone who has a decent bit of senior football under this belt?
If it is the second, then that opens up the field a lot more. And interestingly, Chelsea are now being linked with a defensive midfielder currently playing in the English Championship.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are exploring a potential move to sign Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.
Hayden Hackney linked with move to Chelsea
It is safe to say that the Chelsea midfield could look different come next season. There have been some suggestions lately that the club are looking to mix things up there.
Enzo Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move away and has never ruled it out. While that talk has faded a bit in recent weeks, that does not mean that there are no chances of him leaving at the end of the season. Far from it.
On the other hand, Romeo Lavia is someone who has constantly picked up injuries through his three seasons at Chelsea. It might be time to move on. And some rumours have even linked Andrey Santos with a move away after an underwhelming campaign with the Blues, after he had been one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 last season.
All that being said, nobody would have expected Chelsea to be linked with a move for a midfielder currently playing in the Championship.
Would Hackney be the right fit?
Hackney has had an excellent campaign. While mostly playing in the defensive midfield role, he is capable of playing further up the pitch as well.
Hackney has scored 6 goals and provided 8 assists in all competitions across this season. And on top of that, he has captained Middlesbrough on numerous occasions as well. Chelsea could do with a bit more leadership right now.
Chelsea are no strangers to signing players from the Championship either. One name that comes to mind immediately is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who might not have been a starter last season but did contribute when given a chance. Perhaps it is to play a similar role that they want Hackney.
