Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Chelsea, Enzo Maresca, Liam Delap
Josh Lawless
Chelsea will return to the Champions League next season and the Blues will do so with a stacked squad if they secure some of their top targets this summer.
The Blues' win over Nottingham Forest on the final day saw them take fourth spot and Enzo Maresca's men followed it up by finishing the season with a trophy when they beat Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final.
Chelsea have spent more than £1 billion on new players since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital acquired the club in 2022 and are poised to splash out on plenty of new recruits as they continue to the next phase of their project.
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While they do not need wholesale changes as has happened before, Chelsea have been linked with plenty of players in key areas.
But who will move to Stamford Bridge and how could Chelsea line up next season? Here is a look at Chelsea's confirmed captures, as well as their top transfer targets and how they could line up if they get their deals done.
Chelsea have already got some of their business done this summer, with it widely reported that they have beaten a slew of other clubs to sign Liam Delap for £30 million.
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Newcastle and Manchester United were both in for the Ipswich Town man, who scored 12 goals in his debut Premier League season.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, Delap "has completed final part of medical tests at Chelsea" and he can be considered their new player.
Chelsea will be hoping that the 22-year-old, another Manchester City academy product, can be the focal point they need in attack.
Chelsea's goalkeeping situation is an interesting one. Including those who were loaned out last season, they currently have seven shot-stoppers on the books and none appear to be at the required level.
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Robert Sanchez is their No.1 but is extremely error prone and so it makes sense that they are being linked with new 'keepers. According to Chelsea journalist Simon Phillips, the club are "looking increasingly likely to now look to sign a new goalkeeper" and AC Milan and France star Mike Maignan appears to be the top target.
Lille's Lucas Chevalier and Joan Garcia of Espanyol are also being monitored but the feeling is that Maignan is the "priority" for in between the sticks.
Chelsea are also on the hunt for a new central defender and could turn to one of their former players, according to reports.
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Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi came through the ranks at Chelsea but only made two first-team appearances and was sold for a fee of £18 million in 2021.
Now a regular with England, Guehi is out of contract in 2026 and has plenty of clubs queuing for his signature. Chelsea looked at him in January and according to The Guardian, they are contemplating going after him this summer. Jarrad Branthwaite is seen as an alternative target but would likely command a much higher fee.
Chelsea have placed an emphasis on bringing exciting young prospects in and have announced the signing of midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting CP - following up a deal for Geovany Quenda.
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The deal for the Portugal Under 21 international came out of nowhere but it's unlikely Essugo will feature too prominently in the first-team.
It's now looking as though Chelsea will not sign Jadon Sancho permanently despite his goal in the Conference League final. But the club already have their top target to replace him, with The Guardian stating that they are weighing up an offer of £50 million for Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens after holding talks over a move.
Another new face at Chelsea for the upcoming season is 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, who signed for a €34 million fee - with an additional €23 million in bonuses.
The deal was agreed with Palmeiras in June 2024 but the arrangement was for Estevao to join on his eighteenth birthday and there is plenty of excitement about what he can bring to the table.
Maignan will be the perfect goalkeeper for Chelsea if they can get a deal done, while Guehi would be a fine addition to a backline consisting of Reece James, Levi Colwill and the much-improved Marc Cucurella.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez has developed into a solid midfield base, while talisman Cole Palmer simply has to be the first name on Chelsea's teamsheet.
Estevao will get minutes but it will likely by Noni Madueke, Gittens and Delap around him - an England trio that surely allow Palmer to produce even more magic next season.