Revealed: Chelsea's transfer alternatives to Kounde

Ben Jacobs

27 Jul 2022 06:04 CDT
4 min read

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Chelsea are still in limbo over their transfer for Jules Kounde, with Barcelona appearing to be in the driving seat for the Sevilla centre-back, and with Thomas Tuchel getting frustrated, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs tells FootballTransfers who the two leading candidates to arrive at Stamford Bridge as alternatives to the France international are.

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I think it’s one or the other when it comes to Kounde and Benjamin Pavard, but let’s not forget that Chelsea are looking for two defensive reinforcements of some sort – definitely a centre-back and maybe a hybrid player who can play in central defence as well as full-back, or maybe just an out-and-out full-back.

Defensive is the absolute number one priority for Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea have made two good signings in Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly but they need a lot more.

Tuchel frustrated

Thomas Tuchel is clearly getting frustrated. And what’s interesting is that his frustration, albeit in the light of a heavy pre-season defeat to Arsenal, is almost as much on his as it is about the old regime, the previous transfer sanctions and the new ownership group.

Why are Chelsea not making breakthroughs? They’re not making breakthroughs because they’re behind in the window. That’s because of previous sanctions, change of ownership, which effect the stability of your recruitment model. Marina Granovskaia has technically departed, although she’s still there to help with introductions and deals, and the same is true with Bruce Buck, who remains as a senior adviser.

There’s a lot of pressure on Todd Boehly. He’s working fast and trying to be decisive but he’s still new to the football club. All of this is slowing things down. By the same token, Tuchel has elevated control over transfers. If he’s frustrated with the outcome, then part of that is on him.

© ProShots - Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard

With Pavard and Kounde, Kounde has become the target, but Pavard is someone that Chelsea may advance - there’s nothing yet – amid Barcelona U-turning and now feeling confident that they will complete that signing. But there’s a lot still to run on that saga.

It’s understandable that Chelsea are looking at all these names. They tried for Nathan Ake but they couldn’t agree a price - Manchester City were never overly intent to sell - they were in conversations with Matthijs de Ligt but were put off by a straight cash deal.

The volume of names being linked with Chelsea is because they’ve always needed more than one. Pavard may creep into the mix.

‘One to keep an eye on’

Milan Skriniar is one to keep an eye on because Chelsea enquired about him when they were in talks about getting Romelu Lukaku over to Inter. At that point they were told, if it was to be a permanent deal for Lukaku, Skriniar would not be leverage. Obviously, there was no ability for Inter to agree a straight cash deal for Lukaku, which is why a loan was agreed. Those conversations tell you that even at that point, Chelsea were already looking at Skriniar. Let’s see whether they revisit that.

It’s a tough sell. The asking price Inter will hold out for is between €65-70 million. PSG have already found that it’s been difficult to negotiate. Chelsea are going to have the same problem and were Spurs to revisit any long-standing interest would as well.

Pavard or potentially Skriniar are going to be names you hear a lot more about if Kounde falls through. But as of yet, Chelsea are really just working out what their new strategy is because they’ve tried for other targets first and haven’t got them over the line. But it’s not over with Kounde yet.