Goal threat the target for Blues to battle for title
A SUMMER which started with a bang as Chelsea secured victory in the Champions League Final is yet to go pop again with big-money arrivals.
But, make no mistake, Blues director Marina Granovskaia is working hard to change that and there are hopes that there will be big news this week.
Granovskaia is deep in negotiations with Inter Milan over the return of former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku (below) in a deal which would eclipse the £100million British transfer record set last week.
There is also strong interest in defender Jules Kounde, although they will need to sort out Kurt Zouma’s future to get that one over the line.
Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, was even contacted by an English agent on Friday who said he was working on behalf of Chelsea.
And while Messi looks increasingly likely to join Paris Saint-Germain, even the fact that Chelsea explored the opportunity will delight Blues fans.
Whatever happens in terms of new arrivals before the transfer window closes on August 31, Chelsea go into the season buoyed by what they achieved under Thomas Tuchel (below) last time out.
Whether they have what it takes to close the gap between themselves and Manchester City in the league remains to be seen.
What is certain is that bigger and better things will be expected of last summer’s big-money signings Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Going into the season, the Blues have to be considered title contenders and if they can get Lukaku and Kounde in then Stamford Bridge will be rocking with confidence at the start of the
new campaign.