After the transfer ban in the summer of 2019, Chelsea certainly made up for it in the last summer window.
The Blues made some serious moves to strengthen the squad and give Frank Lampard the players he needs to compete for the Premier League title again.
Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Edouard Mendy all came into the squad, while Malang Sarr was signed as a free transfer and loaned to Porto.
It’s given the Blues a real chance of challenging for titles this season, either in the league, FA Cup or Champions League.
However, Lampard will not feel like his squad is all complete in just one window.
Marina Granovskaia was once again the director who negotiated the deals for the new players, and any future transfers are likely to go through her again.
The Blues could dip into the market in January if needed, while they will most likely try for new players again in the summer of 2021.
But where will Granovskaia and Lampard be targeting to complete the squad?
Centre-back
After a poor 2019/20 campaign at the back, where the Blues conceded 54 Premier League goals, it wasn’t completely sorted over the summer.
Thiago Silva is a short-term solution, coming in as a free transfer for one season, with the option of another if both parties are happy.
Meanwhile, Sarr was sent out on loan to Porto and there is still a question over whether or not he will fulfil the potential.
Antonio Rudiger’s future is likely to be away from Stamford Bridge, with Tomori’s future still in the air as well.
So who could the Blues go after to maybe fill the gap in the summer of 2021?
One player who was not picked up over the summer was Kalidou Koulibaly, despite expected interest from Manchester City.
The 29-year-old as been one of the top centre-backs in Europe over the past couple of seasons with his performances for Napoli.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Dayot Upamecano is another potential option, with the defender having a reported release clause of just £38million.
Defensive central midfield
This is going to be a key position over the next couple of transfer windows as the Blues try to become mainstays at the top of the Premier League.
N’Golo Kante is now 29 and last season suffered multiple injuries, while there is still a question mark over whether or not Jorginho is the right man for that role.
The Blues have another option on loan, with Ethan Ampadu having the ability to play in that position should Lampard look to bring him back into the fold after a spell with Sheffield United.
However, there is a top target for Lampard and the Blues, and that is West Ham’s Declan Rice.
The 21-year-old has proved himself to be one of the top players in his position in the Premier League and the Blues are likely to go in for their former academy product.
The Blues had an interest in the England international, however never put in a formal bid, having been unable to move on other players to make space.
West Ham were also not willing to come to the table to negotiate for one of their star men, with Hammers fans already not pleased with their summer transfer business.
Keeping Rice was key to the Hammers for the season and they were never likely going to listen to the Blues offers this summer.
Next summer could be a different situation and the Blues will no doubt have moved players on to make space for Rice.
If his form continues and he carries on developing as he has been, then he will be a top target for the Blues.
Rice could still be too difficult to bring in, and the Blues might look towards Boubakary Soumare, who they have been linked with before.
The Lille midfielder is getting a decent reputation from his time in Ligue 1, and being only 21 he has the potential to develop into a top player in the future.
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