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Adam Newson

How Jules Kounde will help Thomas Tuchel solve Chelsea problem as big transfer decision remains

Tashmid: Don't you feel Chelsea's move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is against the policy Todd Boehly has set up so far, which is signing youth players for the future? We saw Aubameyang was on the decline when he was playing for Arsenal. Right now, paying €20m plus add-ons doesn't make any sense to me. Rather we give Broja a chance.

Adam says: "I think Chelsea have shown this summer they're willing to pay for the tried and trusted when required, hence the signings of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.

"Aubameyang is a Tuchel choice – that's no great surprise given their relationship – and his goalscoring record is beyond doubt at this stage, even if there are reservations over how he'll fit into the system. As a stop-gap addition for maybe a season or two, I can understand it. And the hope is, of course, that he doesn't hinder Broja's development."

READ MORE UEFA Champions League draw confirms harsh Chelsea Premier League test for Thomas Tuchel

Kennyjoe: Only question worth asking for me and one that will determine the course of our season: Does Thomas Tuchel consider the midfield a weakness, and will the club ensure they strengthen there this summer?

Adam says: "Given Chelsea were pushing to sign Frenkie de Jong – a player both the club and Tuchel were happy to pursue – from Barcelona earlier this month, it's clear Tuchel does think there is a specific profile of midfielder missing from his squad.

"The problem, however, is de Jong hasn't been willing to leave Barcelona thus far despite their financial situation; that he is owed around €17million in deferred wages is certainly a good incentive to remain at the Camp Nou for now.

"From what I gather, Chelsea haven't put major groundwork into signing an alternative to de Jong. At the weekend after the defeat to Leeds, Tuchel was almost incredulous at the suggestion of another midfielder being signed, given N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher and Carney Chukwuemeka are already at the club.

"It may be a case of smoke and mirrors on the part of Tuchel as we approach the final days of the window, but as things stand, Chelsea are focusing on other areas of their squad."

Pritam: Why do you think Chelsea are prepared to pay so much for Gordon?

Adam says: "I'll be honest, the money Chelsea are prepared to pay to sign Anthony Gordon surprises me, particularly when Callum Hudson-Odoi is only three-and-a-half months older and costs nothing to keep in the squad rather than loan out.

"That being said, Gordon is a Tuchel pick, and the club continue to show that they are prepared to back his judgement in the market. Gordon did play well against Chelsea in May at Goodison Park, and his athleticism, willingness to take players on, and willingness to work hard off the ball, I'm sure, are all appreciated by Tuchel.

"But Chelsea have those traits in their attack already, so it is a big decision to add Gordon to the collective – and at the price that it's going to cost to convince Everton to sell."

Arronj: Midfield is a huge issue for us, has been for a long time. Do you have any insight on this situation, how about a defensive midfielder such as Declan Rice? Sick of seeing back passes and sideways passes most the time with the odd decent pass to our attackers. Any word even on Frenkie de Jong?

Adam says: "De Jong's situation is that he – as things stand – is intent on staying at Barcelona, so Chelsea have run into a wall on that front.

"From what I have been able to gather on Rice, Chelsea did touch base with West Ham over his situation this summer but didn't get any encouragement a deal could be done. So no bid was ever officially – or even unofficially – made. He's a player Tuchel likes a great deal, though, and there is an expectation that West Ham will have to sell next summer, so Chelsea may well be playing the (very) long game on that front.

"There's no doubt the midfield needs a refresh, and that may be forced next summer unless N'Golo Kante or Jorginho extend their contracts, which at this moment in time hasn't been hugely discussed with Chelsea's new ownership focused on the transfer window."

Tashmid: After last weeks thrashing of Leeds, is it time to switch to a back four?

Adam says: "This remains the big debate – and tends to be kickstarted after a defeat! Tuchel has often said that a team's structure is never the problem, it's the application within the structure.

"I understand that to an extent, but I think it's clear that the vast majority of Chelsea's attackers are stunted in a 3-4-3; there is simply too much for them to do when they get possession. Given what Tuchel has said in the past, I don't think Chelsea will move away from the 3-4-3 week in, week out until Thiago Silva and Jorginho are no longer fixtures.

"The structure is designed (in part) to protect their physical weaknesses because we know neither of the two are particularly swift across the ground."

rmk: What is the probability of getting both Fofana, Aubameyung and Rafael Leao or Gordon?

Adam says: "I'm confident the deal for Aubameyang will go through. Barcelona need to raise money in order to register Jules Kounde, Tuchel wants a forward, and Aubameyang is his pick. So there are a lot of factors as to why it'll happen.

"My gut feeling on Fofana is that it will get done too. His current situation doesn't benefit anybody, and it's all about Chelsea going up to the fee Leicester want. As soon as that happens, the transfer will be completed, although I wouldn't bet against it happening before this weekend's game!

"Gordon is a tricky one to call. Chelsea have already gone very high – more than I personally think the 21-year-old is worth at this stage – and Everton have said no. It will depend on the appetite of Todd Boehly in terms of giving Tuchel every player he has asked for."

Tashmid: Why does Thomas Tuchel keep playing players out of position, taking Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Reece James as an example?

Adam says: "Tuchel certainly likes the adaptability of players, and those schooled at Cobham are often able to play many roles. In the case of James, Tuchel has spoken previously about whether he can play every game in a season at right wing-back given the physical demands of the role. So there might be an element of protection there.

"The evolution of Loftus-Cheek to a wing-back is interesting, I certainly would never have envisaged him playing there. It does give him more chance of being played and perhaps saves Chelsea £30m/£40m this summer on a right wing-back – keep in mind Tino Livramento's buyback kicks after this season."

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