With the summer transfer window knocking at the door and the Premier League clubs pretty much locked in their targets, all critical pursuits have already begun. And one of the most exciting transfer activities, which many are waiting with baited breath, will definitely come from Chelsea football club.
After finishing the league in the 10th position last season, the Blues had little to no significant buys last summer with N’Golo Kante being the only prominent name. Their new manager, however, has turned around the table with some magnificent tweaking of tactics and Chelsea are en route to winning the title this season.
The biggest change for Chelsea has obviously been the three-man defence. The deploying of David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta and Garry Cahill at the back has been Conte’s masterstroke, which hardly any team has effectively countered. The London club has conceded just 25 goals so far, which is the second lowest in the league this season only after Tottenham Hotspur, and Conte will have to make sure they keep it same next season.
In numerous respects, Chelsea have had a similar season like Leicester City last season. The Blues had no European tournaments to think of, they crashed out of the EFL Cup quite early to have any sort of midweek fixtures disrupting their fluent league run, and most important of all they have N’Golo Kante, who has been an engine for them throughout the season.
Chelsea will hope their next season doesn’t pan out to be like the Foxes though, and Conte is already embarking on a busy transfer summer where his main task would be gathering sufficient backups for the next season when the fixtures will be much more and opponents will be well-prepared.
The defence will undoubtedly be their first priority as they look extremely thin in that role. Apart from the starting three, Chelsea have Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake, both of whom, undoubtedly talented, are not the most reliable of options.
According to reports, Chelsea are planning a move for Southampton’s highly rated Virgil van Dijk next summer. The Dutch defender has been flawless and has attracted numerous clubs with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City being the strongest suitors.
An intelligent defender, who possesses some mesmerising dribbling skills, Van Dijk could be a level up for Chelsea’s back line and may prove to be better than the preferred three. He has been a significant factor in Southampton’s EFL Cup run that ended in the final. Southampton are obviously hellbent in retaining their most prized asset, but his season-ending ankle injury could prove to be the deciding factor in choosing his next destination.
Chelsea are playing in the Champions League next season and an offer would be too tempting for Van Dijk to refuse. Southampton have already brought in Martin Caceres to fill that role in his absence on the other hand.
