After winning the 2016/17 Premier League season at a canter, things have gone from bad to worse for Chelsea FC – missing out on several summer targets, and not being able to replace players departing Stamford Bridge.
Now, reports suggest that things are likely to get worse before they get better.
Firstly, defensive midfield sensation N’Golo Kante is being targeted by French giants Paris St Germain, and, with a bid approaching £100 million lined up, they are likely to be successful with Kante liking the idea of a switch back to his home country and linking up with world record signing Neymar – though PSG will not make their audacious bid until next summer.
Kante is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up whilst playing for France and Chelsea are waiting for details of how long the player, who was recently included in the 30 man Ballon D’Or shortlist, is out for. But PSG are looking to add steel to their midfield and with money no apparent object, Kante is top of their list after continuing the superb form he showed at Leicester City that attracted Chelsea initially.
Secondly, Chelsea looked set to be denied in their chase for Tottenham’s English international full back Danny Rose, who has his heart set on a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United. Chelsea appeared to be in pole position to take Rose, who seems determined to burn all his bridges with Spurs, but he has all but declared that he wants to link up with Jose Mourinho and United, moving back to his more northerly roots than staying in London.
The one bright piece of news in all this doom and gloom is that Alvaro Morata, the one marquee name that Chelsea did manage to pick up in the summer, looks set to return from injury much quicker than originally expected, and has even suggested he may be available for this weekends game against bottom club Crystal Palace – though that seems very unlikely.
