Thomas Tuchel now has a massive decision to make next season as Chelsea close in on the double signing of Raheem Sterling and Raphinha.
Todd Boehly, Chelsea co-owner, made a promise to the head coach regarding control over transfers in the summer window and after a source close to the new consortium said up to six signings could arrive at Stamford Bridge, they are delivering on their word.
A senior source told The Telegraph: "The key is to basically work with Tuchel to come up with the best players that are available.
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"We really want to make sure we have a good defence. We've got depth in midfield. We're not desperate for an out-and-out striker.
“Fortunately, there's reasonable opportunities in the market right now in order to satisfy the fans' desire to be competitive.
"I think it's a combination of moves and there's five or six that we're going to look to make.”
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Sterling is expected to join from Manchester City, with the Blues ready to submit an offer for the England international, who City are willing to let go a year before his current contract is due to expire.
It’s not just one addition in attack, it’s two - Raphinha from Leeds United. Chelsea are ready to meet their valuation for the 25-year-old, expected to be in the region of £55 million plus add-ons, beating Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to the Brazilian.
Both deals are not done just yet, but there is increasing confidence from Boehly and co that the double swoop will be landed.
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Should Sterling and Raphinha arrive in west London, Tuchel’s attacking options will seriously improve for the 2022/23 season.
Sterling netted 17 goals last season in all competitions, while Raphinha bagged 11 goals.
They will add to the firepower of Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi, as well as trio Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner who have all been linked with moves away this summer.
Pulisic and Werner are wanted by Juventus as part of a deal which would see Matthijs de Ligt join Chelsea, as reported by the Daily Mail.
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But with Havertz a £71 million signing, and Sterling and Raphinha set to cost a combined fee of in excess of £100 million, plus Mount’s influence on the side, four forwards cannot play in the side at once if Tuchel opts to play a back three.
This will leave the German in a dilemma, a good problem to have, as to whether or not to switch the system to a four-back system, deploying Mount as a number 10 behind, potentially, Raphinha, Havertz and Sterling.
Any switch in system would depend on personnel in other areas of the team, who Chelsea will sign in defence and, if anyone, in midfield too this summer.
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It’s a perfect problem for Tuchel to have and the Chelsea head coach will get pre-season to shape his side with the current players, as well as the returning loanees and new signings, before selecting his first starting XI come 6 August for the opening day fixture of the 2022/23 Premier League season against Everton.
Chelsea’s business has almost got going and the dominos will continue to fall at Stamford Bridge as the rebuild in west London takes shape.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, Raheem Sterling, Raphinha, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Premier League, Football
