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5 transfers Chelsea can complete after Todd Boehly splashed out on first summer signing

mirror.co.uk 2024/10/5

The ever-ambitious Chelsea will look to improve on last year's sixth-placed finish and owner Todd Boehly has a few more names in mind after they completed their first summer signing

Chelsea will look to recruit further under owner Todd Boehly after completing the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester.

The spending undertaken by Chelsea's new regime has been plentiful, and having adhered to profit and sustainability rules (PSR), they are set to open up their proverbial wallets once again this window.

Midfielder Dewsbury-Hall has joined alongside free transfer Tosin Adarabioyo. Youngsters Omari Kellyman and Barcelona striker Marc Guiu have also arrived at Stamford Bridge.

However, new manager Enzo Maresca is still set to be gifted with a new centre-forward, as well as another centre-back, should the club get their way as Mirror Sport look at five more deals including Dewsbury-Hall's the Blues can wrap up.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Dewsbury-Hall became Chelsea’s first signing of the summer that cost money, moving for a reported £30million and reuniting with his old boss from the King Power, Maresca.

A Leicester academy product, Dewsbury-Hall found the back of the next 12 times last season, but it became inevitable he would leave as the club, much like Chelsea, had concerns over meeting PSR.

Signing a five-year deal, the midfielder expressed excitement about starting this new journey, stating: "It is amazing to be sitting here as a Chelsea player. This is a club people grow up watching and hoping to one day play for, so it is a privilege to be here. I'm really excited to get going and can't wait to show everybody what I can do.

Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with the Championship trophy
Dewsbury-Hall won the Championship with Maresca last season

"I have made it pretty public about what I think of the new head coach. He is fantastic. He is top,” he said. "He completely changed the way Leicester wanted to play last season, and we saw that it worked.

“I am very confident coming here that he is going to implement his style and that the lads are going to buy into it and are going to enjoy it.”

Although there were rumours that Maresca would have minimal influence in transfer business, it is evident that the Italian boss had a significant say in bringing one of his former players with him to his next job.

Murillo

Despite bringing in Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, and new signing Adarabioyo, another centre-half is on the agenda for Maresca's men.

Although it may seem the Blues have strengthened that position enough over the last year or so, the loss of Thiago Silva leaves a void that needs to be filled. Trevoh Chalobah's all-but-certain departure also highlights the need for a new central defender.

Having dealt with Nottingham Forest on several transfers, including the deal that saw Callum Hudson-Odoi leave the club, Chelsea have set their sights on the Brazilian Murillo.

Murillo
Murillo is Chelsea's top choice centre-half

They have reportedly contacted the club to enquire about the £70million-rated defender's availability, among interest from London rivals Arsenal.

Speaking to Brazilian press, Murillo's agent stated: “We know through the club that there are talks between Nottingham and some clubs.

"I think it is very difficult for a player who has exceeded all expectations to continue. It is very difficult for a club like Nottingham to keep a player who is being sought after by the biggest clubs in Europe.”

Other names have been linked with Chelsea in the centre-back department, but Murillo seems to be their first choice should Forest be willing to sell.

Nico Williams

Linked with rivals Arsenal, Euro 2024 star Williams is set to spark a battle between plenty of top clubs attempting to secure his signature this summer.

The £46.5million release clause in Williams' contract may tempt Boehly into competing to bring in the winger, who would no doubt bolster the quality that Chelsea have in that position.

The winger has impressed for Spain at Euro 2024
The winger has impressed for Spain at Euro 2024

Speaking to AS, the Spaniard addressed the speculation, stating: "I prefer to focus on one thing and go for it because if one thing or another comes to me, in the end, my head doesn’t work very well. My agent, my parents and my family know me perfectly, and they know that I don’t want to hear anything until the Euros are over.

"Of course, I am excited. But I am focused on the Euros. Next year, nobody knows what will happen. Whatever has to happen, will come.

"I’ve taken advantage of the opportunity I had, to fulfill another dream, to make myself known. To be able to be or try to be one of the best players in my position.

"That’s what I try to do every day and what I have to do is continue along this path. It’s going well for me and I have to continue like that."

It would mean waiting until Spain's Euro 2024 comes to an end, but the player has shown a real flair at the tournament and will be the subject of a lot of interest throughout this transfer window.

Jhon Duran

A deal for the Colombian striker seemed all but certain a few weeks into the transfer window, but negotiations have seemingly hit a brick wall.

Several factors affected the prospective deal, as Aston Villa needed sales to ease PSR concerns, and Chelsea were looking for a bargain.

Duran also left for Copa America, so the deal looked to be dead in the water. However, Chelsea are in need of a striker, and if they turn their nose up at Napoli's £120million asking price for Victor Osimhen, then coming back to Duran isn't out of the question.

The deal to sign Duran could yet be revived
The deal to sign Duran could yet be revived

While at the international competition, Duran addressed the media on his situation, stating: "I don't know the options of the other teams. I am not aware now.

"I’m focused on the national team at Copa America, wanting to add minutes and supporting the team a lot. For those topics of a possible move, I already have other people who take care of that."

Only joining Villa from Chicago Fire in 2023, the strong centre-forward netted twice in his club's crucial 3-3 draw with Liverpool in May.

While the Colombian striker is undoubtedly a promising young talent, whether Chelsea will revisit the deal for him remains a question mark.

Aaron Anselmino

A transfer that is as good as done, Boca Juniors star Anselmino is set to become the next signing in a line of young South American talent for Chelsea.

Both Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian are signings that offer a lot of promise, and Chelsea looks set to add the young Argentinian defender to the list.

The 19-year-old has only featured 10 times for the Boca first team, making his debut at the age of 18, but has impressed to the degree that he's earned the move to Stamford Bridge.

As is often the case, the player is reportedly staying put at Boca for another season as he develops and will be immediately loaned back there once his deal is completed.

Anselmino becomes another of Chelsea's prospects
Anselmino becomes another of Chelsea's prospects

Speaking after the player made his debut, then-head coach Jorge Almiron stated: "It was a youngster’s turn to make his debut, and he did really well. He looked like he had 200 games under his belt. Going onto Boca’s pitch and playing the way he did, the truth is that it’s not easy.

"I saw him in some training sessions because sometimes they come up to play with us. It was there that I saw him make some plays. What he did today was normal for him, beyond his youth."

The future looks incredibly bright for some of Chelsea's young South American talent, and they look certain to add another to their repertoire in Anselmino.

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