After a two window transfer embargo, Chelsea were the country’s biggest spenders last summer with a £200 million plus spree.
For six months, it barely looked like their attempt to make up for lost time had worked.
But then a new coach came in and players who had struggled initially to settle in the English game began to show glimpses of talent their respective transfer fees demanded.
In fact, Chelsea ended the campaign as champions of Europe, FA Cup finalists and secured a Premier League top-four finish with some key wins in the closing stages of the season – something which seemed highly unlikely when they were placed ninth in the Premier League in late January.
So, what do the free-spending west Londoners require as they aim for more glory in 2021/22?
Who will improve the squad and, most importantly, their starting XI?
And, after four years without a genuine title challenge, can we now expect one? Certainly, based on the final six weeks of last season, reigning champions Manchester City will not relish meeting opponents which held something of a hoodoo as they ended City’s treble dreams in the FA Cup semi-final, defeated them on their own turf in the league to delay a title party and then, for the third time in quick succession, dented City’s long-standing European dreams in the final of the Champions League.
Already Chelsea have bid farewell to one of their squad men, albeit one who contributed some important goals, as Olivier Giroud headed to Serie A and Milan.
In addition, the west Londoners have said farewell to Fikayo Tomori who has also joined Milan on a permanent transfer after the defender spent the second half of last season on loan with the Italian giants.
That deal may have disappointed some fans given Thiago Silva was never a long-term signing, although even in his late 30s the Brazilian has shown he remains a class act and Chelsea are a better side with him at the heart of their rearguard.
Perhaps Tomori has been allowed to leave permanently – unlike promising midfielder Billy Gilmour who will spend a season on loan at Norwich City – because Thomas Tuchel is confident he can land Real Madrid centre back Raphael Varane.
Spanish newspaper Marca claims the Blues have now registered their interest in the French international.
Further forward, one man regularly linked with a move from east London to the west is West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, fresh from a fine Euro 2020 with England.
There are suggestions the Blues have made an ‘informal enquiry’ to the Hammers about a player Tuchel’s predecessor Frank Lampard admired.
Whether West Ham are willing to sell, especially after the track record of losing many of their stars to Chelsea, is unclear.
Interestingly, another young English talent, Callum Hudson-Odoi has around three years remaining on his contract with Chelsea but his future remains uncertain.
The 20-year-old’s career with the Blues so far has been dominated by transfer rumours, with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich reportedly bidding for the winger a couple of times already in recent years.
If that is the case, and if Hudson-Odoi is deemed surplus to requirements, perhaps they could look to include him in a potential swap deal for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman.
The Blues are certainly well aware of the Bundesliga outfit’s long-term interest in Hudson-Odoi.
Further afield, even with the emerging Timo Werner, who will surely be stronger for a year in English football behind him, the club will want to boost their attacking options.
Although it is hard to imagine Bayern Munich selling the most prolific frontman in Europe, there are rumours Tuchel will make an ambitious £50 million bid to sign the Pole Robert Lewandowski – this after supposedly failing in their attempts to land Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
And then there’s a former player who was rarely given a chance in their own ranks as a youngster.
Romelu Lukaku has delivered Premier League highlights aplenty at West Brom, Everton and Manchester United. But has also been prolific with Inter Milan, who he helped to win Serie A last season.
Chelsea were keen to bring the Belgium forward back to Stamford Bridge in 2017 but preferred Jose Mourinho’s United rather than teaming up with the then reigning champions under Antonio Conte.
With reports that Inter is struggling financially, Chelsea could chance their arm with an audacious bid – although I Nerazzurri must be in a desperate financial plight if it is considering selling a player who has netted 47 goals in 72 appearances over the last two campaigns.
Bankrolled by Roman Abramovich, the landscape of English football changed when the Russian oligarch arrived in 2003.
Since then, Chelsea have always had money to spend. Who will be their 2021 star captures?
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds could well change if some of these names arrive in west London.
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