The January transfer window saw no new additions at Chelsea, despite their mounting problems at wing back, and according to reports this was a deliberate ploy as they focus on recruitment in the summer.
The Blues are without first-choice pair Ben Chilwell (knee) and Reece James (hamstring) due to injuries at present, with the former out for the rest of the season and the latter nearing a comeback.
Chelsea tried and failed to recall Emerson Palmieri on loan from Lyon, while decided against making a move for Lucas Digne before Everton sold him to Aston Villa.
Thomas Tuchel reportedly decided against bolstering Chelsea’s squad in the January window
Sevilla’s Jules Kounde (left) and West Ham’s Declan Rice are priority targets in the summer
Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is another player who Tuchel would like to sign
And according to the Athletic, the club are thinking of the bigger picture by pursuing their main targets in the summer rather than looking for stop-gap alternatives in the January transfer window.
They cite that Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, West Ham talisman Declan Rice and Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni are high on manager Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist at the end of the season.
Elsewhere, Kounde has a reported £75million release clause, Rice is valued at £100m while Tchouameni has a £83m price-tag.
If Chelsea were to sign all three players in the summer that outlay would cost £258m, based on those current figures. As a result, the club have decided it would be better to save their money for those targets rather than use part of that budget on another player during the now shut January window.
This is evident with Digne, who they wished to sign on loan rather than permantely – with Chilwell set to return to action at the start of next season.
First choice left-wing back Ben Chilwell is out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury
The Blues decided against signing Lucas Digne (left) who left for Everton for Aston Villa
