This summer could be a fascinating one for Chelsea fans.
New boss Andre Villas-Boas is believed to have already identified the players he wishes to add to his squad for next season’s title challenge.
Defence
The Portuguese boss seems to have made signing a defender his priority. The Blues have been linked with a number of centre-backs already this summer and if reports are to be believed are close to strengthening their backline.
Targets:
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Reports in the Spanish media suggest that Chelsea are about to make a big money move for the Brazilian-born centre-back. A fee in the region of £20million has been mooted but it remains to be seen if Real are willing to sell.
Real boss Jose Mourinho is close to Villas-Boas and could be willing to do business. If the Portuguese international is put up for sale I’m sure the new Chelsea boss will be the first to know.
Scott Dann (Birmingham)
The Birmingham centre-back is in-demand this summer after Brum were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season. The 24 year-old has proved to be one of the best up and coming defenders in the Premier League over the last few seasons.
Chelsea are not the only one’s interested in signing the Liverpool-born star though. Arsenal, Liverpool and Stoke are all believed to be chasing the former-Coventry defender.
Chelsea boss Villas-Boas is expected to watch videos of the defender before deciding on making a bid for the centre-back or not. Dann is likely to cost in the region of £10million.
Gary Cahill (Bolton)
The Wanderers centre-back is another English defender who is in-demand. Bolton don’t want to sell the 25 year-old and Trotters boss Owen Coyle has told prospective buyers to make a bid or stop the speculation.
Cahill’s form last season was part of the reason for Bolton finishing in midtable in the Premier League. Last season was no flash in the pan though as the season before he was also superb in the heart of the Wanderers defence.
Cahill will prove a more expensive purchase than Dann though, as Bolton rate the England international in the £20million bracket.
Midfield
Chelsea will also be looking to strengthen their midfield. Chelsea have been linked with a number of midfield targets as well.
Targets:
Luka Modric (Tottenham)
The Croatian international midfielder is unsettled at White Hart Lane and is seeking talks with Spurs supremo Daniel Levy. It’s believed that he is likely to put in a transfer request if he isn’t given reassurances over the clubs future.
The midfielder is the sort of player that the Chelsea team is crying out for. He has vision and creativity which is currently lacking in the Blues squad. And has admitted that he would like to move to Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham have already turned down a £22million bid from the Blues but both Manchester United and Manchester City are also believed to be interested in signing the 25 year-old. It looks likely that Modric will now leave White Hart Lane.
Jack Rodwell (Everton)
The 20 year-old England under-21 international is highly-rated but endured a stop-start campaign last season. The youngster is however expected to have a big future ahead of him. Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United are all interested in signing Rodwell.
Although Everton are currently struggling financially they do not want to sell the youngster. If they receive a bid in the region of between £15-20million then Everton boss David Moyes would have to consider it.
Strikers
Targets:
Neymar (Santos)
The Brazilian starlet has been linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs but at one point Chelsea seemed to be favourites to sign him. However it seems that the Brazilian international could stay in Brazil after his club revealed that he will stay in his homeland.
Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht)
The 18 year-old has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Chelsea are believed to be interested in signing the Belgium international but Anderlecht’s price tag of £20million is believed to be putting the Blues off from making a solid bid.
If a middle ground can be found then Lukaku could be a really useful signing for Chelsea. He has also been compared to current Blues star Didier Drogba and is likely to have a bright future in the game.
Needed
At times in the last campaign the Chelsea team looked stale and lethargic. There is clear need for the squad to be strengthened and freshened up.
I’m sure Villas-Boas will do that and he will have to with main title rivals Manchester United splashing out over £50million on new recruits already this summer. If the Blues are to challenge the Champions then it’s obvious that new players are needed.
Who will Chelsea sign this summer?
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