This summer transfer window promises to be one of the most important in Chelsea history. After four years of disappointments and failures, it looks like BlueCo are willing to shift from their strategy. They have brought in a proven manager in Xabi Alonso. And it has been claimed that he will have more of a say on transfer matters.
It has been reported that Chelsea have had a €25 million bid accepted from Zadok Yohanna of AIK. That is not the type of move that will fill the fans with confidence though. It is very much a signing that BlueCo would make, and not much seems to have changed as a result.
Yohanna is an 18-year-old Nigerian winger who is showing a ton of potential in the Swedish league. But that does not mean he can do the same in England. Fortunately, it does look like the club have their eyes on some Premier League-proven players as well.
According to football.london, Chelsea have talked internally about Maxence Lacroix, who is expected to leave Crystal Palace this summer. But the 26-year-old defender is one of numerous options being considered.
Chelsea interested in Maxence Lacroix but he is not the only Crystal Palace player they want
Chelsea need to strengthen their defence. And if they are convinced that Lacroix would be the right fit for Alonso’s system then making a move would make sense.
Of course, there are other areas on the pitch that might need strengthening as well. If Enzo Fernandez does leave, it would become an urgent situation.
But even without Fernandez leaving, Alonso could look for a different kind of option in the middle of the park. In this regard, could a Crystal Palace midfielder be the solution?
The same report from football.london states that Adam Wharton, a long-term target of Chelsea, has been looked at again. But the Blues will face stern competition.
Would Wharton be a good signing for the Blues?
Wharton is an excellent midfielder as well. He is very elegant with the ball at his feet and looks like someone who will fit in a previous era.
Does he have the physical attributes to succeed in the modern-day Premier League though? That is the doubt that has always followed him.
He has done well at Crystal Palace. But there are obvious flaws in his game as well. If Chelsea sign Wharton, it would be up to Alonso to make sure that they are hidden by the smart use of others around him, while the midfielder’s strengths, which are numerous, can be highlighted at the same time.
The good thing is that both Lacroix and Wharton. Obviously, you will come up against different tactics and setups when you go from Crystal Palace to Chelsea. But at least the physicality and the pace of the Premier League won’t be a surprise to them. It might take around a combined £120 million to sign both. Of course, that is a steep figure, especially for a club who are not in the Champions League and have not had a long-term sponsor in a long time.
