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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

How Chelsea could line up next season with Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva

Chelsea certainly aren't resting on their laurels despite having already completed the signings of Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech ahead of next season.

Former PSG centre-back Silva sealed a free transfer to Chelsea last week, signing a one-year contract at Stamford Bridge with the option of a further 12 months.

The Brazilian's arrivals follows Chilwell completing his £50million move to the Blues on Wednesday as Frank Lampard landed his top left-back target.

Leicester had initially been holding out for up to £80million, similar to the fee Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire last year, but eventually lowered their asking price for the England international.

Sarr followed on a free a day later.

Meanwhile, Werner and Ziyech, who agreed moves during last season, have already made their first-team debuts, with Werner scoring in a 1-1 preason friendly draw at Brighton on Saturday.

The Blues have made signing Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz their priority after striking a £90million deal for the Germany international.

While Lampard is pushing hard to bring Havertz to Stamford Bridge, addressing a leaky defence is also on the agenda.

Declan Rice has been Lampard's first choice at centre-back, though West Ham boss David Moyes sees the 21-year-old as a future Hammers captain and will demand around £70million to sanction his sale. Silva is seen as a more cost-effective option, and his arrival could mean a move for Rice is put on the backburner.

Lampard has made his opinion of Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world's most expensive goalkeeper, abundantly clear having dropped the Spaniard for 38-year-old Willy Caballero at the end of last season.

The Blues are keen to bring a new No1 in this summer, and have earmarked Edouard Mendy as a target, but are struggling to drum up interest in Kepa in order to fund any replacement.

Here is how they could line up in 2020-21 with a blend of academy graduates and new signings in Lampard's preferred formation...

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; James, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Havertz; Ziyech, Mount, Werner

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