How Chelsea could line-up with Jadon Sancho, Romelu Lukaku, Rice and Marquinhos with transfer spree plotted this summer
CHELSEA chiefs are reportedly plotting a major summer of spending, to help Thomas Tuchel close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The German has steered the Blues into the Champions League and FA Cup finals since taking the reigns in January.
But the West Londoners are 19 points behind champions-elect City in the Premier League table.
Last summer, Chelsea brought in £200million of talent, including Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Edouard Mendy.
Much of this was financed by high-profile, lucrative sales, however, including those of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata.
According to the Sunday World, chief Roman Abramovich is now enthused with the club again, and wants to dig into his own pocket and splash the cash.
This investment will allow Tuchel, 47, to strengthen areas of need this summer.
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One position that won’t need improving on, however, is between the sticks – with Mendy having adequately replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga as the club’s No1.
Should Chelsea stick with a back-three, Tuchel may opt to strengthen centre-back his options in competition with Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma.
PSG star Marquinhos would fit the bill, with the Chelsea boss having reportedly recommended him to his new superiors.
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Callum Hudson-Odoi is constantly improving and could make the right wing-back role his own – although Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta would be more well-suited to playing in a back-four.
Ben Chilwell is the man for the left wing-back role, with Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri both fighting for their futures.
N’Golo Kante was outstanding against Real Madrid earlier this week, and may eventually be joined in the Chelsea midfield by long-term target Declan Rice – especially if West Ham miss out on the top four.
Mason Mount could join them in a midfield trio, or be utilised further forward – with Mateo Kovacic, Billy Gilmour and Jorginho other options.
Chelsea’s front three is brimming with talent, including Christian Pulisic, Havertz, Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
And it could be further strengthened by the addition of Jadon Sancho – linked with a £75m switch to the Bridge.
These diminutive attacking stars could be given a new focal point to work off, with Romelu Lukaku touted by some quarters to return to West London after winning Serie A with Inter Milan.
Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud could leave the club in the process.
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