Chelsea have five Serie A transfer options to consider as Thomas Tuchel can hijack Arsenal
deal
Chelsea are looking increasingly likely to be competing on a number of fronts this season
and are still in every competition they entered at the start of the campaign.
For this reason, the club may look to enter the January transfer market for reinforcements
so that any further injury problems wouldn't have a negative impact on Thomas Tuchel's
bid to win more silverware.
Chelsea do, however, have some of the best squad depth in Europe and may only enter the
January transfer market if they feel they can strengthen in areas they are currently
lacking in.
Over the course of the season, that has so far featured midfield - with a number of absentees
- and now in defence and wing-back positions.
With that in mind, here are five Serie A players Chelsea could target.
Franck Kessie (AC Milan)
Commanding central midfielder Franck Kessie, 25, is out of contact in the summer and could
be a man to improve the depth of Tuchel's midfield.
Saul Niguez was signed on loan in the summer, but it looks unlikely that Chelsea will make
the deal permanent and that an alternative will be sought.
Kessie has been impressive during his time at Milan and his contract situation would
be a massive bonus for the Blues with any transfer coming without the risk of a large
fee.
With Jorginho and Kante both in their 30s, Chelsea will be looking for solid long-term
options and Kessie is one of Serie A's best and most consistent central midfielders.
Chelsea have had injury concerns this season, and Kessie's impressive record when it comes
to avoiding injuries will be very appealing to Tuchel as he has started more than 33 games
in each of the past four seasons.
The Ivorian combines defensive solidity with strong passing ability and coolness in possession
which would be perfectly suited to the intensity of the Premier League.
Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
Dusan Vlahovic is the talk of Europe right now and it seems that every club is after
the 21-year-old from Fiorentina.
With youth on his side and Romelu Lukaku's long-term future in doubt after his recent
interview, Vlahovic could be the long-term heir to the Belgian striker.
Lukaku is currently the only number nine at the Blues and the point has been raised that
both Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are more effective when deployed either side of a more
static striker such as Vlahovic or Lukaku.
Vlahovic has scored 7 goals in his first 14 Serbia appearances and his future could be
decided in the summer with his contract up in 2023, meaning that the next window would
be Fiorentina's last chance to command a fee for the 6"2" forward.
He has scored 37 Serie A goals since the start of last season, albeit with 11 penalties included
in this figure, and any club would have to beat Arsenal to the signing with Mikel Arteta's
men looking like the favourites to sign him.
Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan)
Top of Tuchel's list this summer is to secure his back-three for next season with both Andreas
Christensen and Antonio Rudiger out of contract.
While it's unlikely both will leave, until their future is secured Chelsea will have
to scout for alternatives and will surely have noticed
the Slovakian centre-back.
At 26-years-old he has age on his side and is an impressive ball-playing defender, having
won Serie A under Antonio Conte in a back three, meaning that a move to Tuchel's system
would be an easy adjustment.
He is primarily deployed on the right-side of a back-three but could make an impact from
any position within the centre of defence due to his strong technical ability.
He scored six goals last season in the league in a title-winning Inter side alongside Lukaku
and looks like he could add another Scudetto to his collection this season with Inter currently
top of Serie A.
Fabián Ruiz (Napoli)
With Saul Niguez's future not yet guaranteed, Fabian Ruiz could be an exciting left-footed
replacement for the man on loan from Atletico Madrid.
Central midfielder Ruiz is out of contract next summer and could be available at a cheaper
rate than some of the market alternatives in terms of Champions League quality.
Injuries have hit Tuchel's midfield this season and the 25-year-old would provide security
in this regard, having started at least 29 matches in each of the last four seasons.
In that time he has scored 16 non-penalty goals and registered 13 assists while simultaneously
scoring highly in terms of passing and carries.
Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan)
Another left-footed midfield option could be Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan, the 24-year-old
has two years left on his contract at San Siro and could be tempted with a move away
in the summer.
Bennacer is a statistically strong player who places top of Serie A for progressive
passes per 90 this season amongst all players and top in for completed dribbles per 90 this
season amongst midfielders who have played at least 500 minutes.
As a left-footed option, he is another player who could fill the void should Chelsea decide
not to turn Saul Niguez's deal into a permanent one.
He is less likely than the others in this list due to having two years left on his deal,
but stands up well enough statistically that Tuchel could be tempted into a transfer.