Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is a reported transfer target for Chelsea this summer
Chelsea look to be cruising to the Premier League title this season, ten points clear of their nearest rivals and looking comfortable.
Imagine then Chelsea with Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku in their team. Unlikely?
Not according to the Daily Telegraph, who claim both players are wanted by the Blues this summer in a stunning double swoop.
Two of the league’s top players
Lukaku and Sanchez are two of the Premier League’s top performers this season. Lukaku is now regarded as one of the top strikers in the English top-flight, having scored a league-high of 21 goals this season so far.
The Toffees striker has, of course, rejected a new contract with the Merseyside club, much to everybody’s frustration on the blue half of Merseyside. His rejection of a new deal is seen by many as a sign that the striker will leave in the summer.
However, at 23 years-old and highly-rated he is unlikely to come cheap with a mooted fee of around £70million doing the rounds. Re-signing their former striker would prove mightily expensive, as the Blues sold Lukaku for just £28million in 2014.
Alexis Sanchez, just like Lukaku has turned decided to turn down an offer of a new deal with his current club Arsenal. However, the Chilean will only have one year left on his contract when the summer rolls around, compared to Lukaku’s two years.
It seems likely that Sanchez will leave the Gunners this summer. The 28-year-old has scored 22 times and produced 12 assists for Arsenal in all competitions. He is no doubt their star player. The forward has recently stated that he would like to stay in London, but with a team that wins trophies.
Replacements for Diego Costa and Eden Hazard
The moves may have something to do with Eden Hazard being linked with a move to Real Madrid and Diego Costa seeming less settled than an Everton supporter in the Kop End (Merseyside derby reference, I couldn’t resist).
Hazard is perpetually linked with a move to Real Madrid. Last summer we were spared the stories due to the fact that the Belgian winger had a turgid season, just like most of his teammates.
However, bang on queue Real are reportedly interested again because the Belgian is back in form and looking like a star again. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is hopeful that Hazard will sign a new deal with the club, but rumours will persist until that new deal is signed.
Costa was the target of a big money bid from a Chinese Super League club in January. The bid seems to have unsettled the Spanish international star. His temperament does not seem well matched with interest from elsewhere.
Costa has been outstanding this season and losing the striker would be a blow to the Blues. Lukaku is a top striker, but the big Belgian would no doubt have to adapt his style of play if he returned to Chelsea.
Everton’s current style of play is tailored to get the best out of Lukaku. Chelsea are unlikely to do the same.
Chelsea will be team to beat next season
It seems that the bookies believe that the Premier League title is virtually in Chelsea’s hands, as the Blues are odds of 25/1 to be crowned champions next month. The Blues host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge later today as they look to move one step closer to securing the title.
No doubt there will be much stiffer competition for the title next season. However, with Conte at the helm, they will be difficult to stop, especially if they can strengthen their squad with the signings of the likes of Sanchez and Lukaku.
If the Blues can keep Hazard and sign Sanchez and Lukaku they will have a seriously scary frontline for opposition defences to be facing each weekend next season. Only time will tell if there is any truth in the story.
Will Chelsea sign Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku this summer?
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