Chelsea: The first six fixtures of the 2021/22 Premier League
Chelsea could continue their raid of Borussia Dortmund even after securing a move for striker Erling Erling Haaland, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham reportedly also a target. The race for the 17-year-old could extend across several transfer windows.
Blues owner Roman Abramovich is understood to be taking a key role in discussions, just as he did to take Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen in a £71million deal last summer.
Abramovich is apparently willing to push through deals for Haaland and Bellingham. The Norwegian would cost upwards of £100m, but it was reported on Wednesday that Chelsea had agreed personal terms with the prolific forward.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel wants a world-class striker to lead his attack after watching his side misfire during his first five months in charge.
Chelsea embarked on a remarkable run after Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard on January 26, losing just three more Premier League matches, but they shared their goals around the squad.
They just about squeezed a fourth-placed finish but sensationally won the Champions League.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reportedly wants to push through two transfers (Image: GETTY)
Havertz scored the only goal during an all-English final against Manchester City, justifying Abramovich’s proactive stance during negotiations nearly 12 months ago.
And the Russian wants to take a similar position in talks to sign Haaland, according to Goal. They also remain interested in Tottenham forward Harry Kane.
Abramovich wants to strengthen relations with Dortmund ahead of a hotly contested race for teenager Bellingham in the future.
Chelsea’s ties with the Bundesliga club are mixed, despite them signing Christian Pulisic from the Westfalonstadion.
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“New guys who question the old beliefs, who challenge everybody in the training and in matches.
“So I think it’s a good thing.
“We don’t need another seven and another complete turnover because it’s also our job to keep on improving, because we have still a young squad and it’s not about stealing from them the chance to prove it again, that they are capable of growing and evolving.
“But we have some ideas, of course, to make the group stronger, and I think this can always be a positive thing to challenge all of us.”