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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Chelsea news: Blues blamed for Jules Kounde transfer blunder as new shortlist drawn up

Chelsea have been touted as a team in crisis this summer but the reality is they have purchased a top-tier central defender and one of the best wide-forwards in the Premier League.

Despite the arrivals of Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling respectively, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has conceded he is unsure if his troops will even be ready for the opening day of the Premier League season next weekend. There have been a number of departures, including club-record signing Romelu Lukaku who has returned to Inter Milan on loan after just one season.

There is seemingly never a dull day at Stamford Bridge, which is why Mirror Football has placed the main Chelsea headlines all in one place to keep track.

Blues blamed for Kounde error

Chelsea looked all set to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, but the Frenchman has since penned a deal with La Liga titans Barcelona instead. Sevilla's sporting director Monchi has since explained how the West Londoners have nobody to blame but themselves for that sudden U-turn.

He told Sevilla's club's website : "On Thursday night Kounde was ‘sold’ to Chelsea, for a fee accepted by all parties. They began to have doubts and pulled out. Due to situations that arise sometimes, no matter how long you've been in this world, there was some movement at Chelsea that made them doubt whether they needed a player with Kounde's profile."

Read Monchi's comments in full HERE.

Chelsea compile post-Kounde shortlist

Chelsea have been beaten to the signing of Jules Kounde (Getty Images)

Tuchel is rumoured to have put together a four-man list consisting of new central defensive targets after losing out on another transfer target to Barcelona. The Blues are aiming to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen but have only secured one defender so far in Koulibaly.

According to the Evening Standard, Inter Milan pair Denzel Dumfries and Milan Skriniar have emerged as potential options for Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea could also turn to a player with more Premier League experience in Leicester defender Wesley Fofana.

Discover Chelsea's defensive plan HERE.

Parlour makes bold Chelsea claim

Ex-Arsenal star Parlour has predicted that the Blues will miss out on a top-four finish next term despite securing the signatures of two stars in Koulibaly and Sterling.

The former Gunners midfielder told talkSPORT: "I think Chelsea are going to struggle this season. Unless they make some signings, they might make a couple before the window closes and then you might change your mind."

It is clear that the general consensus is Chelsea have not bolstered their squad as much as they should have - something Tuchel clearly agrees with given the German's efforts to bring in some new faces before the season's start.

Read Parlour's assessment in full.

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