This off-season could prove to be an important period for Chelsea if they are to have success in the 2022/23 campaign. Thomas Tuchel is going to lose Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, two important members of his squad.
Rudiger has confirmed he will not be signing a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season. He is set to join Real Madrid, on a deal which will be more lucrative for the German international.
Christensen is also going to feature in LaLiga next season. He will be signing for Barcelona on a free transfer. The Dane has been with Chelsea since 2013 but felt now is the right time to move on for a new challenge.
It has been a mixed season so far for the Blues. The defence of their Champions League trophy was ended by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. The Spanish side are now 13/8 in the Champions League online betting for the trophy.
Tuchel’s side faded quickly in the battle for the Premier League title. However, they are on course for a top-four spot, which will ensure they qualify for next season’s Champions League competition.
The London club still have the chance to end the campaign with some silverware. They will face Liverpool in the FA Cup final at Wembley. It will be a repeat of the EFL Cup final earlier this year which the Merseyside club won on penalties.
If Chelsea are to improve in the Premier League and Champions League, Tuchel may need to add some quality to his squad. The German will be hopeful of doing some business when the transfer window reopens.
Rivals Set to Strengthen in Transfer Window
Manchester City have been linked with a move for one of the hottest strikers in Europe at the moment, Erling Haaland. Some reports suggest City have triggered his release clause from Borussia Dortmund and that the Norway international wants to move to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Given how dominant City have been in the Premier League over the last five years, adding Haaland would make them even stronger, particularly as this is a position they don’t have much depth in.
Elsewhere, Erik ten Hag will become the new Manchester United manager this summer. He is likely to be handed a big chequebook to bring his own players into the club. United be will desperate to get back into the top four and become title challengers once again.
United are thought to be interested in making moves for West Ham’s Declan Rice and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, two players Chelsea have also been linked with in the past. If they manage to agree on deals for both of those individuals, it will strengthen their squad.
With Tuchel in charge, Chelsea fans should remain optimistic. The German has already achieved a lot in the early stages of his career in West London. If he can build upon that over the next few years, a first league title since 2017 is a strong possibility.
