Chelsea were not the worst traditional ‘Big Six’ team in the Premier League last season because of Tottenham Hotspur’s 17th-place finish. But it does look like Spurs are keen to change that. And with the type of players they are being linked with, they might be a lot more serious than the Blues.
Tottenham Hotspur are set to sign Marcos Senesi. They have also managed to agree personal terms with Jan Paul van Hecke, even though a transfer fee remains a stumbling block for now. Both of those are centre-backs Chelsea have been linked with.
Also, it does not seem that Spurs are nearly content with that. In fact, they have now set their sights on one of the best midfielders in Europe. Somebody who was viewed as an unrealistic target, when it came to Chelsea just a few weeks back.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have entered the race to sign Sandro Tonali. Spurs are ready to face Man City and Arsenal in the race for the Italian midfielder for a new ambitious project to prove their intentions.
Spurs want Sandro Tonali, Chelsea nowhere to be seen when it comes to top players
Just look at the names involved. Arsenal. Manchester City. That is where Chelsea should be trying to sign their players. But the only time they do is when it comes to wonderkids and youngsters with little top-level experience.
When it comes to proven players like Tonali, it often seems that Chelsea are not even willing to make a serious push.
There has been all this talk about signing proven and experienced players this summer. But who would those players be?
Would that be a genuine superstar-level signing like Tonali? Or would it be someone with just a bit of experience playing in the Premier League for a mid-table club? Both might fit the criteria, but rest assured, there is going to be a world of difference between the two.
Chelsea’s squad is weaker already
Chelsea have already been weakened this summer. It has been confirmed that Marc Cucurella has joined Real Madrid.
Perhaps you think that it is a good deal. And it might be in terms of the finances. But when it comes to the team on the pitch, there is no doubting they are worse off.
Cucurella is a proven and experienced player if the Chelsea squad had one. They have let him go. And if you listen to the tone of the briefings today, they might be willing to give the spot to Jorrel Hato.
Now, Hato was excellent in the second half of last season. But if Chelsea’s solution to losing Cucurella is to give his spot to a 20-year-old youngster with no top-level experience, they will just be repeating the mistake they have made for the last four years. Perhaps they can learn a thing or two from Spurs for a change.
