Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Kwame Boakye

Thomas Tuchel's dream Chelsea starting XI if Declan Rice completes transfer from West Ham

Chelsea are in for a busy summer transfer window following Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club. Whilst it's been a season of turmoil and upheaval for the west London outfit; their goals for the 2022/23 campaign remain the same.

Closing the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool as well competing for silverware both on the domestic front and also in the Champions League. The Blues' squad will undoubtedly need strengthening in order to achieve those particular objectives.

With N’Golo Kante and Jorginho both out of contract next summer, the club will be keen to recruit a younger central midfielder of immense ability and potential. One player who fits that bill and has consistently been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge is West Ham star Declan Rice.

READ MORE: Presnel Kimpembe defends past PSG comments on future amid Chelsea transfer interest

The 23-year-old has taken his game to another level this season; proving he is more than just a defensive midfielder with his driving runs into the opposition’s box. It's also his most prolific campaign since he broke into the Hammers first team; with five goals and four assists to his name this term.

Rice was also an integral part of West Ham’s run to the Europa League semi-finals and has been a key figure in their quest to qualify for European football for the second successive season. However, he is expected to depart the east London club in order to play Champions League football and win trophies.

The England star was part of the Blues youth set-up before he was released at the age of 14 and has consistently been linked with a return to the club. His style of play is very similar to Kante’s and at seven years the Frenchman’s junior would be the ideal long-term replacement.

With that said, is there a place for Rice in Tuchel's starting XI? Here, we take a look at how Chelsea could line-up next season with the Hammers midfielder in the side:

GK: Edouard Mendy

RCB: Cesar Azpilicueta

CB: Trevoh Chalobah

LCB: Malang Sarr

RWB: Reece James

CM: Declan Rice

CM: Mateo Kovacic

LWB: Ben Chilwell

RW: Mason Mount

LW: Timo Werner

ST: Kai Havertz

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.