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Adam Newson

How Thomas Tuchel will rebuild Chelsea squad this summer without blowing £200m transfer budget

Dono966: What is the likelihood Chelsea will sign players in the short term? Is the rebuild going to be a quick and efficient process that will clearly state Chelsea's intentions for next season?

Adam says: "I think there will be two aspects to the squad rebuild this summer: one focused on signings and the other on players already on the club's books. And personally, I think that's the smart way to go as Chelsea will not have unlimited funds.

"Reinforcements are, of course, needed and in Jules Kounde and Ousmane Dembele it's clear Chelsea are looking at players in the market that are ready now but with room to grow and improve. Josko Gvardiol and Christopher Nkunku fit into that bracket. Declan Rice too.

"That being said, it's near-impossible all the above arrive this summer and it's why internal options also have to be considered to refresh the squad. Conor Gallagher will be incorporated into the first-team set-up while Dujon Sterling, Levi Colwill, Billy Gilmour and Armando Broja are, as things stand, expected to get an opportunity in pre-season to state their cases to Tuchel.

READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel will use Jose Mourinho tradition to prepare Chelsea for Premier League battle

"In terms of Chelsea's intentions for next season, I think they are the same as in 2021/22. The challenge is to close the gap to Liverpool and Man City in the Premier League and compete strongly in the cup competitions. I feel they can do that if key injuries are avoided, although hopefully, the squad will be in a better shape to combat those that were suffered."

TrueBlueChelsea3: Is the £200m war chest mentioned inclusive of funds from player sales or not, and who are the players that Chelsea are looking at currently except Jules Kounde and Ousmane Dembele?

Adam says: "From what I understand, that £200million would also factor in money from players sales. But to be honest, there's always an element of manoeuvrability in terms of the 'war chest'. There are a few centre-backs the club have shortlisted as the look to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen – which includes Jose Gimenez, Pau Torres and Presnel Kimpembe – while Borna Sosa is a potential option at left wing-back if Marcos Alonso and Emerson move on.

"Everyone at this point knows the club like Declan Rice, although that is looking incredibly difficult to do this summer, and in terms of attackers, Raphinha was being looked at and had Leeds gone down, an approach would almost certainly have been made, but he will now cost a significant price.

"I think the key to potential arrivals in the final third – barring Dembele because of his contract situation – will depend on who from the current attack moves on: the futures of Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku are all up in the air at the moment."

DannyBlue: How much is getting a defensive midfielder a priority for Chelsea this summer? Are there any alternatives being discussed if Rice is untouchable? Do you foresee a system change if we sign a true defensive midfielder?

Adam says: "For months, the noises were that Chelsea would go for one of Rice or Tchouameni this summer. But the latter looks off the table now (partly due to the impact of sanctions) while the latter may prove far too expensive.

"Boubacar Kamara was looked at given his contract situation but Chelsea never went all in and he's now joined Aston Villa. Another name that's cropped up is PSV's Ibrahim Sangare, but I don't know how genuine the interest is at this stage.

"Under 'normal' circumstances, the defensive midfield position would have been a priority, but it's now obviously the defence after the departures of Rudiger and Christensen. And until the futures of Kante and Jorginho are sorted, it's difficult to see Chelsea going hard for a midfielder, especially with Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour and Ethan Ampadu already on the books."

umair81: who are we looking at for the LCB role? all the talk is of Kounde when LCB is a bigger need. Gvardiol seems like staying at RBL & Bremer is close to Inter.

Adam says: "In terms of Kounde, I think he would be more of a replacement for Andreas Christensen – or Cesar Azpilicueta if he moves one – given his ability to play on the right of the back three or at right-back.

"As for an alternative left centre-back, someone to keep in mind is Presnel Kimpembe, who is a Tuchel pick having worked with the France international at PSG. Whether the Ligue 1 champions would sell is another matter."

iassegaf: Are we interested in Max Kilman? He can cover both RCB and LCB. He's had a fantastic season at Wolves

Adam says: "There is definitely a level of interest on Chelsea's part but I don't think a move is imminent, partly because Kilman is recovering from an ankle ligament injury at the moment. Fun fact: his younger brother is in the Chelsea academy."

Joe Taroni: Is there any interest currently in Matthijs De Ligt? if so are Chelsea working on it?

Adam says: "The prospect of signing de Ligt this summer was floated to Chelsea earlier in the season as he is on big money at Juventus. But the Dutchman is currently in talks over a new deal with Juve and the first-choice centre-back signing for Chelsea remains Kounde."

Chelsea360: Will Chelsea sign Mo Salah

Adam says: "Salah has made it clear that he isn't going to leave Liverpool this summer. What happens in 12 months' time if he doesn't sign a new deal...well, that will certainly be interesting given he wants to stay in the Premier League."

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