…Spend over N65b on Chilwell, others
By George Aluo
As they say in local parlance…”Chelsea eye dey red” ahead of the new season.
The club’s young manager, Frank Lampard has been given all the financial backing he needs to sign on quality players with which they want to challenge for title when action starts in the EPL and other competitions next month.
The Blues who were under a transfer embargo last year have so far burnt £130m (about N65bn) as they look to close the gap on the duo of reigning EPL champions Liverpool and Manchester City.
Three players that are already confirmed for next season are the trio of Leicester’s Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
Chelsea are also on the verge of an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over a £90m deal for Kai Havertz that would take their spending this summer past £200m, and they continue to target the free agent Malang Sarr.
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The club have also been running the rule over a number of goalkeeping options, with Ajax’s Andre Onana and Burnley’s Nick Pope both linked. West Ham’s England midfielder Declan Rice is another of Chelsea’s long‑term targets as Lampard continues to reshape his squad.
Chilwell who is still basking in the euphoria of his move to Stamford Bridge from Leicester said he is confident the club would do well next season.
“I am delighted to be joining Chelsea at this very exciting time for the club,” Chilwell told the club’s website. “I’m looking forward to being a part of this young, dynamic squad led by Frank Lampard as we challenge for honours next season.
“I can’t wait to get started and hopefully it won’t be long before we’re playing in front of the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge.”
Virtually everybody in Chelsea is looking forward to a good outing next term. The club’s director Marina Granovskaia who spoke moments after the arrival of Chilwell stated: “We are very pleased to have completed our third addition to our exciting squad for the coming season.
“Ben brings plenty of top-level experience playing in the Premier League, Champions League and at international level, despite his young age. We are confident Ben will adapt very quickly to being a Chelsea player and, with the fixture programme for 2020-21 especially busy, he is a fantastic addition to the squad needed to challenge for honours.”
Chelsea it would be noted ended this season on a poor note after losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup final and taking the beating of their life in the two legged UEFA Champions League ties against European Champions Bayern Munich.
Bayern beat Chelsea 7-1 on aggregate in the round of 16 on their way to emerging champions of Europe.
