Published: February 3, 2022 4:58 pm
Last Updated: February 3, 2022 5:03 pm
An insight into the summer transfer plans of European champions Chelsea has been provided, with the Blues keen to strengthen in a trio of areas.
The info comes courtesy of the reliable Simon Phillips (quoting Angelo Mangiante of Sky Italy), who points towards Thomas Tuchel’s men as being the leading suitors in the race for no fewer than three high-profile players.
First up comes Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, of course a long-time target at Stamford Bridge, and a potential necessity if all of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger opt to depart upon the conclusion of their respective contracts.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Antonio Rüdiger heads the ball under pressure from Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on September 19, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images)
Next comes West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, too long linked with a return to west London, after spending time on the books at Chelsea during the early years of his development.
And last on the Pensioners’ shopping list is wide-man Ousmane Dembele, set to depart La Liga heavyweights Barcelona upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.
Chelsea lead the race to sign their three main summer targets, Jules Kounde, Declan Rice, and Ousmane Dembele.
– @angelomangiante https://t.co/UfXIs3DE58 pic.twitter.com/JuhtzBAj95
– Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 3, 2022
Cup clash in store
Turning attentions back towards matters on the pitch, Chelsea are set to focus their efforts on matters in the FA Cup this weekend.
On the back of a two-week winter break, the Blues will kick their campaign back into gear in a meeting with League One outfit Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon.
Tuchel’s troops will of course head into proceedings as overwhelming favorites to book their spot in the FA Cup’s 5th-round, with the club’s sights no doubt firmly set on going one better this time round, after being downed by Leicester City in the competition’s final in 2020/21.
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Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City | 23 | 41 | 57 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 22 | 39 | 48 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 24 | 30 | 47 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 22 | 6 | 38 |
| 5 | West Ham United | 23 | 10 | 37 |
| 6 | Arsenal FC | 21 | 8 | 36 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 20 | 2 | 36 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 21 | 3 | 34 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 22 | 0 | 30 |
| 10 | Leicester city | 20 | -3 | 26 |
| 11 | Aston Villa | 21 | -4 | 26 |
| 12 | Southampton FC | 22 | -8 | 25 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 22 | -3 | 24 |
| 14 | Brentford FC | 23 | -12 | 23 |
| 15 | Leeds United | 21 | -16 | 22 |
| 16 | Everton FC | 20 | -11 | 19 |
| 17 | Norwich city | 22 | -32 | 16 |
| 18 | Newcastle United | 21 | -22 | 15 |
| 19 | Watford FC | 20 | -17 | 14 |
| 20 | Burnley FC | 18 | -11 | 12 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 16 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 10 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester city | 9 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 8 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 8 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 8 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 |
| Smith-Rowe, Emile | Arsenal FC | 8 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 8 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 7 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 7 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 7 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 7 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City | 7 |
| Silva, Bernardo | Manchester City | 7 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 6 |
| Mahrez, Riyadh | Manchester City | 6 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 6 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester city | 6 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisu, Mohammed | Southampton FC | 0 | 7 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 6 |
| Neves, Ruben | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 7 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 6 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 0 | 6 |
| Westwood, Ashley | Burnley FC | 0 | 6 |
| Alonso, Marcos | Chelsea FC | 0 | 6 |
| Norgaard, Christian | Brentford FC | 0 | 6 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 6 |
| Laporte, Aymeric | Manchester City | 1 | 5 |
| Mings, Tyrone | Aston Villa | 0 | 6 |
| Llorente, Diego | Leeds United | 0 | 6 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 6 |
| Maguire, Harry | Manchester United | 0 | 5 |
| Ward, Joel | Crystal Palace | 0 | 6 |
| Skipp, Oliver | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 6 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 0 | 4 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 0 | 5 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 1 | 4 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 1 | 4 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 10 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 9 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 8 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 7 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 7 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 6 |
| Cancelo, Joao | Manchester City | 6 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 5 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 5 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 5 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Redmond, Nathan | Southampton FC | 5 |
| Mahrez, Riyadh | Manchester City | 4 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 4 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 4 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Barnes, Harvey | Leicester city | 4 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 4 |
