It was very much a case of job well done for Chelsea before the summer transfer window finally slammed shut on August 31. done. The Blues may have the opportunity to bring in more players who will be available next summer without spending big in the transfer market.
Marcus Bettinelli, a goalkeeper joined on a free transfer and will be a back-up option for both Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalga throughout the campaign.
Romelu Lukaku with his debut goal against Arsenal was brought in from Inter Milan for a club-record fee of £98million, the Belgian stricker has already proved himself the ruthless finisher that the Blues needed last season.
We're now on WhatsApp. Click here to join.
Saul Niguez was also brought from Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan, Spainish international joined Chelsea in the final minutes of deadline day.
However, January allows the Blues to freely negotiate with players based abroad who are out of contract in the summer of 2022. And as things stand, there are several big names the Blues are willing to bring in.
Below are four potential free transfer the Blues could sign next summer
Kylian Mbappe
The European Champions the Blues would be able to negotiate terms with the French star from January. Kylian Mbappe was believed to be joining Real Madrid during the summer but all is not over yet as the French international is set to be out of contract next year.
Thomas Tuchel who worked with Kylian Mbappe at PSG is an admirer of the French man, the Blues may try if the player would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge when his contract at Paris Saint-Germain comes to an end.
Franck Kessie
There have already been reports of a potential approach from Chelsea for the Ivorian international. Chelsea needed a new midfielder in the summer after the departure of Nemanja Matic to Manchester United.
The Blues midfield will need an addition if Saul Niguez’s loan spell doesn’t work out as planned or West Ham United refuse to sell Declan Rice, then the Ivorian international will be an option that could be turned to.
Niklas Sule
Bayern Munich’s defender Niklas Sule emerged as a target for Chelsea ahead of this summer’s transfer window. With the Bundesliga giants signing Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig, a deal for the centre-back seemed a genuine possibility with one year remaining on the defender’s contract at the club.
However, Centre-back is the biggest long-term area of concern for the Blues. Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger will all be out of contract at the end of the of the season.
Boubacar Kamara
Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers were both linked as potential suitors but Boubacar Kamara ended up staying with Marseille in the final days of the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old who was linked with a move to the Premier League has been on Chelsea’s radar for several months and Thomas Tuchel is believed to be an admirer of player whose versatility is one of his big strengths .
A contract offers from Marseille last season was turned down by France Under-21 and looks likely to depart at the end of the campaign. It is understood that the club’s president Pablo Longoria, is not keen on losing the academy graduate on a free transfer and will listen to offers in January if they arrive.
“Having a player at the end of their contract is not nice, especially when the player in question comes from our youth academy. I don’t like to have a player whose contract is expiring in my squad, nobody is above the institution.
“Marseille’s position with all players is that we don’t want to have them at the end of their contracts at the end of the season.”
