Despite not having a manager in place, Chelsea and the transfer market continue to be involved in a tango. Given what we know about the co-sporting directors and the control they are after, being without a head coach is unlikely to stop their endeavours.
Mauricio Pochettino is thought to have wanted some more say in the recruitment heading into his second summer in charge and instead left amicably. The next guy won’t be expecting much input into where the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital funds are spent.
It doesn’t stop Chelsea doing their work ahead of the summer window opening either way. There are yet more changes expected to come in the first-team squad and here, Soccer4U has the latest.
Michael Olise battle
Chelsea and Manchester United are the two favourites to sign Crystal Palace attacker Michael Olise, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports. Both sides are eyeing up the Crystal Palace star, with a £60million release clause in his contract.
He was a key target for Chelsea last year but eventually signed a new deal having initially been available for just £35million. The London-born Frenchman has seen his stock continue to rise since, despite spending over half of the season injured.
Olise scored 10 times from just 14 league starts, assisting six as well. It is a massive increase on his two strikes the year before. Alongside Ebere Eze (more on him below) he helped Palace to finish strongly under Oliver Glasner.
Soccer4U says: If there’s one thing Chelsea don’t lack it’s left-footed right-wingers. When Cole Palmer was signed it looked at the time like there was already an abundance of players in that role, but an exception can be made for Olise.
He is the type of talent that does not get ignored. Where other links to attackers might be questioned, pushing for Olise should be admired. There is no need for an Olise in Chelsea’s squad, but getting him would enhance the side anyway.
Spare a thought for Noni Madueke, Omari Hutchinson, Angelo Gabriel, and Diego Moreira, but Olise is a different type of quality. He is a player you don’t want to face and make room for when looking at. £60million is frankly still an absolute bargain.
Eberechi Eze approach
Fellow Palace star Eze is on the Chelsea wishlist this summer, Simon Johnson says. It is reported that scouts have been at matches with the England international regularly this year and that only follows a previous approach for his services.
Eze could be available for slightly less than Olise, with £45million a mooted price for the 25-year-old. He could have a packed few months ahead though after being included in England provisional squad for Euro 2024.
