How Chelsea could line up with Neymar

Stuart Telford

• 16 Feb 2023 10:32 GMT
• 4 min read

Chelsea are reportedly lining up a bid for PSG superstar Neymar. How would the Blues line up with the Brazilian in their ranks?

Todd Boehly's Chelsea spending on player transfers has already topped €600 million, but the American billionaire is far from finished according to reports.

The Blues have been linked with a move for Neymar next summer, with Paris Saint-Germain ready to listen to bids in the region of €60m according to French daily newspaper, Le Parisien.

READ: Chelsea ready to pay €60m for Neymar following PSG meeting

Boehly reportedly flew to Paris on Tuesday ahead of PSG's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich to meet his Paris counterpart, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Nerymar could prove the flagship signing Boehly craves, but where would he fit in?

Neymar does his best work from the left hand side, from where he has plundered 17 goals and 16 assists this season with Kylian Mbappe leading the line.

Chelsea have struggled in attack this season, with Kai Havertz, a midfielder by trade, getting the nod up front more often than not. But with just five Premier League goals to his name this season, his days up there look numbered.

READ: How Werner could derail Nkunku's Chelsea career before it starts

Fortunately for Chelsea, they are set to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig in July, and the Blues' attack could have a very different look next summer.

With Nkunku leading the line and Neymar tucked in behind him, the last spot in the final third will likely go to Joao Felix, who has shown flashes of his genius since his winter arrival on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea with Neymar?

A 3-4-3 system catering for all three seems likely, meanwhile. Graham Potter has used wingbacks in seven of his 16 Premier League outings this season, a back four in the other nine games, but the suspicion remains that he would prefer the former system with Reec James and Ben Chilwell fully fit.

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez has hit the ground running following his €120m arrival from Benfica. He would have Mason Mount or Mateo Kovacic for company, with Jorginho sold to Arsenal and N'Golo Kante looking like he is on the way out with injury problems.

Although Boehly has tried to institute a "Vision 2030" project at Chelsea, the side is set to be underpinned by 38-year-old Thiago Silva next season, after the evergreen Brazilian signed a one-year extension to his contract recently.