Welcome to the football.london transfer briefing. To help you keep on top of all things Chelsea going on in the market we've got the latest noises coming from social media, journalists and so-called ITKs, rounding up what's what in the world of the Blues.
Pochettino changes plan
Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly decided against immediately replacing Kepa Arrizabalaga as the first-choice Chelsea goalkeeper this summer. The Spaniard had been expected to leave with attention turning towards France duo Mike Maignan and Andre Onana.
football.london had learnt that talks were planned with Onana and the Blues amongst other deals being discussed with Inter. However, new reports suggest that Pochettino is now willing to give Kepa a chance as he believes the 28-year-old can go to a new level.
After moving to Chelsea in 2018 for £68 million ($87m), there are still two years left on his initial deal.
football.london says: Chelsea had planned for life without Kepa or Edouard Mendy for a reason, neither offer enough security or certainty to mount a serious challenge at the top of the table. With Mendy seemingly off to Saudi Arabia, at least one extra option is surely needed.
Gabriel Slonina is a promising youth option but to go in with him as second choice would be a major risk and the wrong way of developing him in his early years. Kepa, on the other hand, has had his chance and even at his best is far from a safe pair of hands.
The Spaniard has proven himself to be a solid enough back-up option but the fact that Chelsea's league returns have only worsened with him is a demonstration of his consistency. Onana is a player that has experience and top level quality, to not consider him any more is verging on crazy.
Nicolas Jackson terms approved
Chelsea have made rapid strides towards signing a new first team striker with Villarreal's Nicolas Jackson emerging as a surprise candidate.
The 21-year-old has come from seemingly nowhere to now being on the verge of a move to Stamford Bridge after personal terms were agreed with the Senegal forward.
After Kendry Paez was announced last month as the first signing since Pochettino agreed to start as Chelsea boss, Jackson now looks set to become the second man on that list. Whether he can provide the goalscoring demands of the new coach remains to be seen.
football.london says: Jackson is an unknown prospect. With just 47 senior appearances for Villarreal and 12 goals he is far from the finished article and mirrors the sort of signing that David Datro Fofana promises to be.
For just £29.8 million ($38.1m) from his release clause, Chelsea are looking to access a new part of the market, much like they did with Benoit Badiashile in January.
Jackson is also a player in immense form after bagging 10 in his last 11 games with two assists in the same time. It poses the question as to what this means for not only Fofana but also Armando Broja, but if more expensive and high profile names are not available it may well be the type of signing fans have to get used to.
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