As a result of Chelsea’s proactive completion of one signing during the summer transfer window, a concentration of defensive backs may visit Stamford Bridge for the 2022–23 season.
Once Raheem Sterling and two new focus backs are inserted into the starting XI, Thomas Tuchel’s best Chelsea lineup could appear to be incredibly unusual for the upcoming season.
On Wednesday night, Real completed a £47.5 million transfer from Manchester City, becoming the Blues’ most notable signing of the summer and the first under Todd Boehly.
One mark might quickly turn into two as Chelsea nears finalizing a deal to acquire center Kalidou Koulibaly from Italian club Napoli for a deal worth £34 million. The Senegal international is scheduled to fly out to Los Angeles to meet Chelsea’s team, who are attending a preseason instructional session there, and complete an average before officially marking for the West London club.
Following the recent departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, new center backs are expected to be needed, and the Blues are expected to pursue other cautious rookies even after Koulibaly’s arrival is confirmed.
Presnel Kimpembe, a French center back, is being transitioned to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain, while Nathan Ake may return to Chelsea from City.
If the Blues’ business goes as planned, it will likely have a big impact on the club’s starting lineup for the 2022–23 Premier League campaign. Here is a possible season-long setup for Tuchel’s team.
No changes have been made in goal from the previous two seasons, with Edouard Mendy certain to preserve his spot after two outstanding seasons at Stamford Bridge since being brought in from Rennes to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Should Chelsea succeed in their transfer requests, the back three might see potential new additions. Thiago Silva is surrounded by Koulibaly, Kimpembe, Rudiger, and captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the back three. Cesar Azpilicueta is also rumored to be moving to Barcelona this summer.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell continue to be the team’s first choices for the wing-back positions. The England team was ranked among the club’s top players when they were available despite both missing significant amounts of previous season due to injuries.
N’Golo Kante, the French World Cup winner, has had trouble staying healthy, but when he is available for Tuchel, he continues to be a model of true greatness. His primary partner will probably be Mateo Kovacic, while Jorginho will be closely behind them.
new label Sterling is slated to be one of the two wingers front and center and may line up next to Mason Mount, another international player, in the front three.
A year after his £97.5 million return to Stamford Bridge, club-record-breaking Romelu Lukaku will return to Inter Milan on credit, thus Kai Havertz, who scored the decisive goal in the 2020 Champions League final, is likely to lead the attack with Timo Werner available for potential later usage.
