5 Mid-fielder Transfers of Chelsea. Given that Chelsea will probably be looking to add a midfielder during the upcoming summer’s transfer window. Graham Potter will reportedly aim to expand his midfield options for the 2023–24 season, according to The Athletic. This is because Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have contracts that expire at the end of the current season, and since Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are both temperamentally unfit.
Regardless of what happens to Jorginho and Kante, both of whom are 31 years old, Chelsea is already considering alternatives for enhancing the center areas. Among the rumored objectives are Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund, and World Cup champion Enzo Fernandez.
Enzo Fernandez (Benfica): One of the most sought-after players in international football at age 21, Fernandez’s World Cup performances with Argentina earned him the Young Player of the Tournament honor. Chelsea has been mentioned as a potential buyer as early as January and is one of the teams who are impressed with him. They allegedly want to match the player’s outrageous £106 million ($127.8 million) release clause. Although they will face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United, Fernandez has the potential to be the first piece of Potter’s midfield puzzle.
Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund): Jude Bellingham was another player who stood out at the World Cup despite England’s elimination in the quarterfinals, making him one of Europe’s hottest commodities alongside Fernandez. With nine goals and three assists already to his record for Dortmund this season, the 19-year-performances old’s in Qatar have increased his already high price tag.
Declan Rice (West Ham): Since joining West Ham’s development program in 2013, Rice, a midfielder who graduated from Chelsea’s academy as a youngster, has been expected to make a return to his old team. The 23-year-old made hints about a potential transfer during England’s World Cup campaign in Qatar, and on Christmas Eve, it was revealed that West Ham may earn up to £150 million ($180.9 million) if Rice decides not to extend his current contract, which expires in 2024. It seems unlikely that a deal will be made in January, and the Blues may have to compete with Manchester United in the summer, which has also long been said to be interested in the midfielder.
Moises Caicedo (Brighton): Caicedo, a 21-year-old who joined the Seagulls from the Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle in 2020, has demonstrated to be another example of Brighton’s superb recruitment approach. Last year, he had a breakout season, and Gustavo Alfaro called him up to the World Cup squad. On matchday three of the tournament, he scored in a 2-1 loss to Senegal. Caicedo has Premier League suitors other than Chelsea, including Manchester United, Liverpool, and most recently, Arsenal. Brighton outbid Chelsea for his services back in 2020.
Romeo Lavia (Southampton): Lavia, who is arguably the least experienced midfielder on this list, joined Southampton in the summer and became one of several players who helped strengthen the bond between Manchester City and Southampton over the years. The Belgian, who is almost 19 years old, would surely play a role in Chelsea’s future midfield plans, along with players like summer arrivals Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei. Lavia’s lone Premier League goal this year oddly came against Chelsea in August. His performances before and after the injury piqued the interest of opposing sides, who may make a summer transfer for the midfielder.
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