Chelsea still have no clear plan at problem position – loans and transfers must be decided
We already know what Chelsea’s priorities are for this summer – they’re clear just from looking at the squad and their performances this season, and have been reinforced by multiple briefs from various sources.
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The Blues want a top striker, someone to compete with Nicolas Jackson to be their number 9. After holding off last summer (and paying the price in the last 2 months while the Senegal star is out injured), they will need to do something this time around.
It’s also widely reported that they want another left winger, with Mykhailo Mudryk’s long term ban expected to be confirmed any day now. Those are the priorities.
The second tier of needs is a little more vague – we’ve heard they don’t want a new goalkeeper. New central defenders are linked regularly, but the arrival of Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg may mean we feel well covered there.
Left back plans up in the air as Veiga set to return from Juve loan
Renato Veiga and Pedro Neto celebrate a goal in Astana. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
What we’re really curious about is the plan at left back. The Blues started the season with Renato Veiga backing up Marc Cucurella, but when the Portugal international pushed to leave in January, they were happy to let him go. They took something of a gamble on Cucurella staying fit, and have just used Malo Gusto or Reece James playing on the wrong side as cover.
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But with Veiga looking likely to return to Chelsea in the summer, there are questions again. He wasn’t satisfied with being second choice this year, despite getting a lot of appearances in the Conference League. Surely he won’t suddenly be content as a backup now?
If he’s sold or loaned, will we then buy a player to replace him?
Once again, it feels like a set of questions we will get a lot of answers to in the Club World Cup.
