Graham Potter is considering a raid on RB Leipzig as the Chelsea boss targets two of his biggest talents.
The Blues have reportedly already agreed a deal in principle for Christopher Nkunku after the Frenchman successfully passed a medical in Germany in September.
Potter has also been linked with teammate Josko Gvardiol as he looks to bolster their defence.
Chelsea are quietly improving their squad with young talent benefiting from Champions League experience as Potter looks to emulate his predecessor Thomas Tuchel in winning Europe’s most converted award again.
Before that, Potter needs to figure out which players are in his long-term plans and who will be surplus as he seeks to make the Blues squad his own.
Nkunku will provide Chelsea with newly developed attacking intent, pace and an eye for goal. The former PSG Academy graduate has taken his attacking prowess to the next level since joining Red Bull Arena in 2019.
The Frenchman has scored 56 times in 149 games for the Bundesliga side and will offer a threat at any position on Chelsea’s front line.
His talents were on full display when he scored against Celtic in Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League win.
Nkunku is also no stranger to a deeper midfield role, having been deployed there during his early years at the Parc des Princes.
He is likely to set Chelsea back £53million but the 24-year-old could prove to be a knock at that price if he continues his upward trajectory in west London.
His team-mate Gvardiol has been a revelation since moving from Dinamo Zagreb in 2021 and it is understood he will demand a fee of around £80m.
The left-footed centre-back slotted into Leipzig’s system immediately and his versatility will provide cover at left-back, should Potter look to return to a full-back four.
Gvardiol can fit into a number of systems, giving the Blues a variety of options to use the Croatia international, but it’s his range of passing that might surprise a few at Stamford Bridge, should they be challenged. arrival.
Gvardiol’s ability to play inviting passes deep into the final third and join in the attack can see him participate with the occasional goal or claim an assist.
The 20-year-old has been identified as the eventual successor to Thiago Silva, 38, whose contract expires in 2023 and a season alongside the Brazilian veteran can only help his development.
Potter will be tasked with choosing who to line up Nkunku with in a new front three, with an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.
Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang are all vying for a starting spot with Callum Hudson-Odoi set to return next summer after his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen.
N’Golo Kante’s future remains uncertain after a series of injuries and his contract expiring at the end of the season, the same with Jorginho who could leave for nothing in June.
Mateo Kovacic is the experienced option, while the versatile Mount can also play in central midfield.
Early signs suggest Conor Gallagher is in Potter’s plans and will provide another central threat in midfield, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek continues to be an effective team player for the Blues and 18-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka could also push for a starting spot.
Ben Chilwell will battle with Marc Cucurella at left-back with the Spaniard keen to rekindle last season’s form when he played for Potter’s Brighton after a switch from Getafe in La Liga.
Reece James continues to be Chelsea’s number one choice at right-back while Gvardiol is likely to link up with Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana or Thiago Silva, with Trevoh Chalobah waiting in the wings.
If Potter finds the secret ingredient for his team to perform well again, Chelsea have the perfect blend of youth and experience coupled with strength in depth across key positions, to be big players in the race for the title. Premier League next season.
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