Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Ousmane Dembele can become a "massive player" for Chelsea should the club bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge this summer. The 25-year-old winger sees his Barcelona contract expire at the end of the month and the Blues are confident they can strike a deal.
football.london understands there have been talks between Chelsea and the winger's entourage recently and there are positive signs that a deal can be agreed. Dembele worked with Thomas Tuchel during their days at Borussia Dortmund, where the France international established himself on the European scene.
Dembele then completed a move to Barcelona for over £100million, but ever since joining the La Liga outfit, he has struggled with consistent injury problems. That's the main concern supporters have with signing the Frenchman: whether or not he can keep himself on the pitch.
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Wright-Phillips, though, when speaking to Genting Casino, thinks if Dembele can prove his fitness to Chelsea, then he will become a crucial player for the Blues next season. He said: "Ousmane Dembele is a fantastic footballer.
"It's just about whether his body can handle the physicality of the Premier League and if he can play a consistent run of games because he's had so many injuries. If Chelsea can keep him fit then he'll be a massive player for them."
Meanwhile, the Blues remain confident they can secure the signing of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer. football.london understands that personal terms with the France international have already been agreed, but Chelsea and Sevilla are yet to agree on a price.
Wright-Phillips, when speaking about Kounde, thinks the defender would be a good signing for the Blues, but then asked why his former club let Fikayo Tomori, who he believes is of a similar profile, leave the club last summer. Wright-Phillips added: "Jules Kounde would be another good signing for Chelsea.
"He's young and a very talented defender, but Chelsea sold Fikayo Tomori who's a similar age and I think he barely gave the ball away all season at AC Milan and I just wonder, why you would go and buy a player of a similar age, why not just keep the talent you've made? If Kounde does sign for Chelsea, he'll have big boots to fill after Antonio Rudiger's exit."
Wright-Phillips believes Kounde may have some pressure on his shoulders if he does replace Rudiger, who recently signed for Real Madrid. However, Kounde would likely be more of an Andreas Christensen replacement, with the Sevilla defender more natural on the right-hand side of a back-three.
