Chelsea’s summer rebuild is likely to make headlines and back pages around the world this summer, especially with it looking increasingly likely that Antonio Conte will be the man entrusted to lead the Blues into a new era.
With the likely lack of Champions League football next term, barring a complete change in form for a number of clubs, Chelsea run the risk of losing some big names this summer which will only make a rebuild more difficult.
At the beginning of the season, with both Thibaut Courtois and Asmir Begovic it looked like Chelsea were sorted between the sticks but both could leave this summer for different reasons, which makes the decision to sell Petr Cech to rivals Arsenal look ever more bizarre.
Therefore, it’s no surprise to see Chelsea scouring the market for a new name to put between the sticks and it seems AC Milan’s 17-year-old star Gianluigi Donnarumma is the main target.
Capturing the highly-rated stopper would be a major coup, and could see Chelsea sorted between the sticks for the next two decades, but his signature alone will not fix the problems across the team- so expect to see these five players heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Hit the image below to see FIVE players who could follow Donnarumma to Chelsea this summer!
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Paul Pogba
Midfield has been a major source of problems for Chelsea this season and the Blues long-term interest in Juventus ace Paul Pogba will be intensified this summer by the arrival of Antonio Conte, who was a major driving force with the player’s emergence in Turin.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, the lack of Champions League football could hurt them in the market for this man and potential rival interest from the likes of Manchester City, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid won’t make things any easier.
Still, Chelsea have the money to spend and a connection in the player due to Conte, so don’t rule this one out yet.
John Stones
The saga of the British transfer window last summer, excluding Saido Berahino’s dramatic actions on social media, it’s all set to rekindle at the end of the season for Everton’s John Stones- particularly if he enjoys a good European Championships.
With Everton underperforming this season, a jump to a big club could well be on the cards and Chelsea are in a better bargaining position with the player as the exit of John Terry leaves a first-team spot available for the young man.
However, Everton’s new investment could prove decisive as the Toffees look to build themselves towards contesting for a Champions League spot so Stones could stay put for another year.
Edinson Cavani
One player extremely likely to be on the move this summer is Edinson Cavani, with Paris Saint-Germain ready for a rebuild that’s centred around the exit of the club’s record goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Cavani has been thrusted out-wide with PSG to accommodate Zlatan into the side and it’s unlikely to change next season despite the departure of the Swede. Therefore, Uruguayan international Cavani will eye a move as he aspires to be the leading striker at a club.
Chelsea can offer him that chance but it all depends on whether Cavani would accept no Champions League football. For the Blues, it may come down to which Italian sides rival their quest for secure the South American.
Leonardo Bonucci
A favourite of Antonio Conte, having worked with the defender at Juventus and now with the Italian national team, Leonardo Bonucci has been touted as the ideal experienced replacement for the departing John Terry.
The 28-year-old has been a crucial figure in Juventus’ success in the past few years and Chelsea will use the Conte connection to try and secure his signature. However, their hopes have been dashed by the player commenting that he’s not leaving Turin.
Money talks though, especially when comparing the wealth of English football compared to that of Italy, so nothing can be ruled out.
Romelu Lukaku
It would be the most Chelsea-like thing ever if they were to re-sign Romelu Lukaku this summer, having sold him to Everton for £28m just 18 months ago. That sale looked like an incorrect decision at the time, with the Belgian impressing in loan spells with the Toffees and West Brom, and it’s come back to haunt them.
Chelsea need a new striker and Lukaku is the best forward out there that isn’t currently tied to a top-four side. With the player himself publicly stating his desire to play in the Champions League, Chelsea could take advantage.
The problem though is Chelsea don’t have that tournament to offer this term, which gives the likes of Paris Saint-Germain an advantage, but the Blues connections with their former employee could prove decisive.
