Chelsea
have already snapped up Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago
Silva, Malang Sarr and Xavier Mbuyamba - and are still targeting more
additions. So what could the Blues' starting XI look like next season?
Goalkeeper
Frank Lampard is in the hunt for a new goalkeeper to replace Kepa
Arrizabalaga this summer. Why? While only Manchester City and Liverpool
scored more goals than Chelsea last season, 10 clubs shipped fewer goals.
Those stats clearly suggest the defence must be addressed as a priority and
the writing was on the wall for their £71.6m stopper after losing his place
to Willy Caballero at the start of the year and for their season-ending
league win over Wolves.
Opta xG data reveals the Spain international conceded 10.6 goals more than
expected last term - more than any other 'keeper in the league.
Chelsea were linked with Andre Onana, Jan Oblak and Nick Pope but are
seemingly set to swoop for Lille stopper Mike Maignan, who has played for
France at youth levels and conceded 27 goals in 28 appearances in Ligue 1
last season.
Defence
The defence has undergone a major overhaul this week with blockbuster
signings Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva, while France U21 international
Malang Sarr also joined the club - the latter pair on free transfers after
their respective contracts expired at Paris Saint-Germain and Nice.
Sarr will be loaned out to gain more experience, so Chelsea could start with
Chilwell at left-back and a centre-back partnership of Thiago Silva and Kurt
Zouma - while Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to retain the right-back spot.
Midfield
Lampard has a plethora of midfield options already, including Jorginho,
N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley, Billy Gilmour
and Mason Mount - but he also wants to sign Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Kai
Havertz.
Where could Havertz fit? If the Chelsea boss sticks with his preferred 4-3-3
formation, the 21-year-old could start on the right of the three-man
midfield, with Mount on the left and Kante or Jorginho holding centrally.
Forwards
Chelsea have already spent £78.3m during the summer window on forwards Timo
Werner and Hakim Ziyech. Both recorded devastating numbers at their former
clubs last term, with Werner primarily finishing and Ziyech creating.
The stats show Chelsea were behind only Manchester City and Liverpool at
creating clear-cut opportunities last season. But they were down in 16th
when it came to taking those big chances - so the new additions will be
tasked with amending that anomaly.
Willian and Pedro left the club when their deals expired after the FA Cup
final but plenty of competition remains down the wings, with Christian
Pulisic finishing the season in fine form and Callum Hudson-Odoi eager for
more game time.
Olivier Giroud ended the campaign in pole position up top, but Tammy Abraham
will want to reclaim the starting berth and lead a pacy firing line.
However, Werner could start as the central striker to accommodate Pulisic
and Ziyech down the flanks.
Potential XI
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