New bosses, new promises, but little action to back those up. And Thomas Tuchel has very ambitious plans for a team that could attack Manchester City and Liverpool next season. There are many names on his list, the question is how realistic they are. Because the German has submitted papers to the management with players such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Rafael Leao, Serge Gnabry, Raheem Sterling, but also Robert Lewandowski, Frankie de Jong, Nathan Ake and Declan Rice, along with some “reserve” options such as Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde.Koulibaly and Sterling seem to be viable options. The first one because the owner of Napoli does not want to let the towering stopper go to another Italian club, so, according to the local Il Mattino, he could let the Senegalese to Chelsea for a modest compensation of 30 million euros. The other option is to lose the African next summer without a cent of compensation.##NAJAVA_MECA_6502058##Koulibaly should be the pillar of the Blues’ defense, as Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde are still more expensive options. Along with one big signing in defense, Tuchel would love another central defender and the media speculate it could be a possible returnee – Nathan Ake from Manchester City.Sterling should also arrive from the same place, he is said to have agreed to a compensation of 60 million euros (!), although Tuchel does not want that to be his only attacking option after “falling out” with Romelu Lukaku last season. He would like Robert Lewandowski the most, but the Pole wants to go to Barcelona. Since there are no classic ‘number nines’ on the market, Tuchel turned to versatile offensive players. Raphinha was the first pick, Leeds even accepted 70 million euros, but the Brazilian would also prefer Barça. It seems that Ousmane Dembele will also stay at the Catalan club.Kalidou Koulibaly will join Chelsea for €40m. The transfer is very close to being concluded.~ @FabriceHawkins pic.twitter.com/KxDQVOMvN9— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) July 12, 2022 The reputable Guardian claims that Tuchel is therefore looking in other directions and has identified Bayern’s Serge Gnabry and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao as potential reinforcements. The only problem is that the Rossoneri want a minimum of 120 million euros for the 23-year-old Portuguese. Gnabry would be much cheaper, because he is entering the last year of his contract with the Bavarians.In addition to all that, Tuchel is also looking for reinforcements for the midfield, he likes Barcelona’s Frankie de Jong, but he is closer to Manchester United, so West Ham’s Declan Rice is also mentioned, with the Hammers not that willing to sell.So, it can be a groundbreaking transfer window for Chelsea, or it can be – a big dull dud.
