"We got sanctioned and players left us, we know that some players are trying to leave us, and this is where it is," a furious Thomas Tuchel said when asked about Chelsea's need for more incomings after his side were thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal in Orlando on Sunday morning. "We had an urgent appeal for quality players and a huge amount of quality players.
"We've got two quality players [Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly] – that is no doubt – but we are not competitive like this. Unfortunately, we could see it today."
Chelsea were outplayed and outclassed by Arsenal, a side that finished below them last season in the Premier League table. If needed at all, it did point out that Chelsea still need to conduct some major business this summer.
READ MORE: Why Chelsea's friendly with Udinese has taken on huge importance after frustrating USA trip
Sterling and Koulibaly have been the only incomings so far this summer, while the club have allowed seven players to depart. So, with all of this being said, football.london takes a close look at the incomings Chelsea still need to complete before the summer transfer window closes at the start of September.
Jules Kounde
Chelsea are still battling it out with Barcelona for the signing of Sevilla central defender Jules Kounde. The Blues have a verbal agreement in place with Sevilla for a £55million fee to sign the 23-year-old, a figure Barcelona have been unable to match so far.
However, Barca may be able to match it with a different payment structure to Chelsea – one that is heavily dictated by add-ons and bonuses. The Blues remain well and truly in the hunt to sign Kounde, but his future remains up in the air.
Presnel Kimpembe
football.london understands Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe is also a target for Chelsea. The west London club have already held talks with PSG over a move to sign the France international. Kimpembe, though, is more than happy to stay in Paris – making any possible deal that bit more complicated.
Tuchel wants to sign another two central defenders, making it three incomings in total in that position. Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig is also an option and someone that the club are very much fond of, football.london has been told.
Borna Sosa
Borna Sosa of VfB Stuttgart is someone Chelsea have an interest in. Should Marcos Alonso leave the club this summer, then Tuchel may be forced into the transfer market for cover for Ben Chilwell – and Sosa could be that man.
Sosa still has over three years left to run on his contract with VfB Stuttgart, but after a tremendous season in the Bundesliga, he is attracting interest from Chelsea. The 24-year-old left-back scored once and assisted eight times in the German top-flight over the 2021/22 season.
READ NEXT:
