All the latest transfer news and gossip for Chelsea FC
If you were to ask the average soccer fan who is the best Premier League team right now, 99% of honest and impartial people would choose one of Liverpool, Manchester City or Chelsea. They are all incredibly evenly matched, with only 2 points separating the 3 sides. While the betting odds seem to be unsure as to which of them will lift the title in May, all sportsbooks seem to agree it will be one of these top teams.
While Man City are the current Premier League holders, it is Chelsea who many think will be crowned champions this time around. Of course, it was these 2 teams who contested the most recent Champions League final back in May, and it was Thomas Tuchel’s side who came out on top, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal in a tense 1-0 for Chelsea. Given that Tuchel only joined the club mid-way through last season, few would have bet on him to be winning the biggest club trophy available in such a short amount of time. It clearly proves what a top level coach he is.
While he already had a strong team at his disposal, Tuchel would be well aware of the need to improve his side, to make them serial challengers for all the major trophies. Already, people who bet on soccer would feel Chelsea are likely to be the odds on favourite in most of their matchups. If you were to be looking at betting odds offered with the DraftKings Sportsbook deals, they would pretty much always indicate a Chelsea win, unless they faced a fellow title rival. But, given how closely Tuchel monitors everything, he was keen to sign some new players in a few key positions, which would have a knock-on effect for Chelsea’s betting odds each week.
A top level striker was seen as an absolute necessity. Last season, their top scorer was Jorginho, which only came about because of being on penalty duty. The forwards at the club, such as Havertz, Timo Werner, Chirtian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech were playing well, but not contributing enough goals. Therefore, Tuchel convinced the Chelsea hierarchy to sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan.
The signing of Lukaku, who was previously a Chelsea player at the beginning of the year, was enough to make many online sportsbooks think Chelsea were the favourites to win the 2021/22 League title. And while they have performed very well, Tuchel will still be looking to add to his squad where possible, as well as let some fringe players leave, either out on loan or on permanent deals. Let’s look at some of the names Chelsea might be bringing in soon, and which players might also be leaving.
Araujo to come in to bolster the defense?
On first glance, it wouldn’t appear that Chelsea have any particular issue that needs addressing in their defence. They have one of the best goalkeepers in world football right now in Edouard Mendy, and a group of centre-backs who have only conceded 9 all season. However, given Thiago Silva’s advancing years, and the uncertainty around Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen (more on them later), the betting odds are showing the Club has been linked with the Uruguayan player Ronald Araujo.
Araujo has been with Barcelona since 2018, and has since then become a much more reliable centre-back option for the club. He is also a versatile player, playing at right-back when needed, as he did in the recent Champions League loss to Bayern Munich. Given his age (22) and potentially relatively low transfer fee, it would be a wise decision for Chelsea to bring him in.
Could Casemiro ease the midfield injury woes?
An area where Chelsea have been hit particularly hard with injuries of late, with N’golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all on the treatment table at the moment. That is why bringing in Casemiro from Real Madrid would make a lot of sense, as he is a proven winner and could slot straight into Tuchel’s side.
Given how well he has played in Spain for the past few years, he might be harder to prize away from Madrid. Some betting sportsbooks aren’t sure this transfer will happen but if anyone could afford his wages, it is Chelsea.
Who’s on the way out?
As previously mentioned, 2 of Chelsea’s centre-backs are currently in contract disputes with the club, which could push them towards the door. It seems inexplicable that Antonio Rudiger has been allowed to run down his contract, given how well he has played for the Blues since joining them, but all reports suggest he will leave as a free agent this summer.
Christensen also has only a few months left on his current deal, and talks about extending it seem to have stalled. The club clearly don’t want to let him go, as they rejected transfer offers for him over the most recent transfer window, but unless he signs on the dotted line soon, he will be free to talk to other clubs once the January window opens. Keep an eye on the odds on this transfer in the coming months, as they could change on an almost daily basis.
See More: Top Five Strikers Chelsea Could Sign: Transfer News Latest
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