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Preparations for the 2022/23 season are well underway as Chelsea gear up for the upcoming campaign, looking to strengthen their squad and improve on their third-placed finish in the Premier League last term.
It’s also the first year of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital era, with Boehly and Behdad Eghbali fresh off the back of a meeting with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and other club officials on Thursday night.
Several topics were discussed, including possible transfers between the two clubs - Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso and Frenkie de Jong all talked about.
Despite what seemed to be positive discussions, there seems to be an underlying rivalry brewing between Chelsea and Barcelona, particularly with the transfer of Raphinha.
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The Spanish club have stalled in coughing up the cash to get the deal done due to waiting on an economic lever, and perhaps that is a leaf Chelsea could take out of their book, who look to capitalise on the speed in which they look to close the Raphinha book.
The lesson they need to learn can be implemented in their strategy to sign Matthijs de Ligt. The Juventus defender has been of interest for Chelsea and Bayern Munich and looks set to leave the Italian giants this summer.
The Dutch international looked nailed on for a move to join Thomas Tuchel’s side, but late interest from the Bavarian giants have stalled a deal from happening.
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De Ligt is one of the hottest defensive properties on the continent and at just 22 years of age, comes with plenty of experience at both club and international level.
As mentioned, the Blues could lose another of their interests in Raphinha to Barcelona, so that should be a lesson learned for the persons in Boehly’s corner to ensure a deal gets done.
That deal alone has seen Leeds United grow frustrated by Barcelona, despite Xavi's side's determination to strike a deal after Leeds accepted a bid from Chelsea.
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The Blues need to make sure the same doesn’t happen with regards to De Ligt after their interest was very much apparent just last week.
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With the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, coupled with the fact that Thiago Silva is coming of age, Chelsea need defenders.
De Ligt would offer much-needed experience and quality at the back for Tuchel and can play in any system brought forward by the German.
The fact that Chelsea are in a two-way tussle with Bayern Munich for his signature highlights his quality and what he can bring to even the best teams on the continent.
The Blues have the financial backing to flex their muscles in the transfer market, which should give them the edge over Bayern, with the likelihood of them putting money aside for other targets as well.
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Chelsea’s rebuild seems to have started with Raheem Sterling imminently through the big, blue gates, now it's just for the rest to follow. But more urgency is certainly needed, particularly in the De Ligt transfer.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Matthijs De Ligt, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Juventus