Chelsea: The first six fixtures of the 2021/22 Premier League
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has made Erling Haaland his top transfer target for the summer window. The Blues may have won the Champions League title last term but, despite that, know they need reinforcements if they’re to stop Manchester City dominating domestically. So Express Sport will now take a look at four players who, should the Borussia Dortmund star sign, would have every right to be worried…
The writing seems to be on the wall for Tammy Abraham at Chelsea.
He was very much central to the Blues’ plans when Frank Lampard was in charge, with the England international regularly getting the 43-year-old’s backing.
But, since the arrival of Tuchel, the hitman has toiled.
Abraham obviously has talent but Chelsea are ready to cut him loose, slapping a price tag of £40million on the former Aston Villa, Swansea and Bristol City star.
His days at Chelsea are already numbered so the arrival of Haaland would likely be the final nail in his coffin.
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Chelsea extended Olivier Giroud’s contract last term, with the France international proving his worth with some valuable contributions under both Lampard and Tuchel.
But any deal for Haaland would likely disgruntle the former Arsenal star.
Giroud already struggles for a starting berth at Chelsea and the arrival of the Norway international may spark him into leaving.
At the age of 34, he wants to be playing every week.
And that’s unlikely to happen at Chelsea already, regardless of whether or not their Haaland pursuit pays off.
Chelsea signing Erling Haaland may trigger Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud exits (Image: GETTY)
Hakim Ziyech
Hakim Ziyech, like Pulisic, won’t benefit from Haaland’s arrival.
Chelsea duo Werner and Havertz both have Tuchel’s backing, despite the pair failing to live up to expectations last season.
And it’s hard to see where Ziyech fits in.
He’s not speedy enough to play on the flanks in the Premier League, lacking the physicality too.
And the Morocco international won’t get much of a look in if Haaland signs, having already struggled to win Tuchel round since the German’s arrival in January.
Chelsea duo Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic don't fit in if Erling Haaland joins (Image: GETTY)
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Chelsea’s first 5 Premier League fixtures:
Saturday August 14 - Crystal Palace - 3pm, Stamford Bridge.
Sunday August 22 - Arsenal - 4.30pm, Emirates Stadium.
Saturday August 28 - Liverpool - 5.30pm, Anfield.
Saturday September 11 - Aston Villa - 3pm, Stamford Bridge.
Saturday September 18 - Tottenham Hotspur - 3pm, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.