Welcome to our football.london CareFree Chelsea daily news round-up. Maybe not the first, we've definitely done transfer round-ups before, and European round-ups, so I guess in some ways it's not that new at all.
Anyway, we thought we would enter the world of football in a broad and roundabout manner for you and have some fun with some of the stories and captions doing the daily rounds.
The Blues go to transfer war with the Serie A champions in a bid to solve Ben Chilwell's scathing absence as Marina Granovskaia lines up bid for Chelsea's Declan Rice alternative.
Meanwhile, the west Londoners join Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Eden Hazard's heir.
Chelsea battle Inter for left-back
Chelsea has locked horns with Inter Milan for the signing of Stuttgart defender Borna Sosa, according to Sky Sports Germany (via Sport Witness).
According to reports, the Blues are looking at doing a deal that would bring the 24-year-old full-back to Stamford Bridge in the summer for a move of around £25m.
Sosa is ranked as one of the best left-backs in the men's top five leagues and European competitions for chance creation and his progressive passing and carrying compared to positional peers, as per FBREF.
Our view: I can't pretend as if I'm an expert on Sosa, but I'd have much rather Chelsea bring in Lucas Digne for a similar price.
The Villa left-back would've joined Chelsea to play, immediately becoming a threat to Ben Chilwell's game time by offering good competition.
I worry that Sosa's arrival wouldn't be enough of a statement or cause for concern about competing for starts.
Tuchel eyes cheap Rice deal
Chelsea has lined up a bid for Ajax utility man Edson Alvarez, according to Football Insider.
The 24-year-old can also play at either centre-back or holding midfield has established himself as one of the Dutch giant's top players since arriving from CF America in 2019.
Football Insider report that the Blues face competition from Leicester City and Crystal Palace for Alvarez's signature despite Ajax's reluctance to let him go.
Our view: Rice, Tchouameni and then Alvarez in that order. Chelsea must go all out for Rice and, failing that, Tchouameni, so I'm not entertained by the prospect of the Blues preparing a tertiary option.
Alvarez would do a job at Stamford Bridge and is a cheap alternative to allow bigger spending on other positions, but Chelsea should do everything it takes to get Rice.
Blues eye Hazard alternative
According to Spanish outlet Central Defence, Chelsea has identified Real Madrid attacking midfielder Marco Asensio (via Fichajes).
Eden Hazard's teammate, who has kept the Belgian out of Carlo Ancelotti's starting eleven, has impressed this season for Los Blancos, having contributed towards eight goals and assists in 23 games.
The report claims that the Blues face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for the 26-year-old, who is valued at £36m by Transfermarkt.
Asensio's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires in June 2023, potentially making him available for a cut-price.
Central Defense reports that Real Madrid will look to resolve the Spain international's future in the summer.
Our view: I'm not convinced that Asensio is the type of player that Chelsea should be after this month because far greater problems need to be addressed.
Yes, Asensio is a great player, but if Tuchel wants to add a forward - unless it's Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe or Neymar - then an exception should be made for a player like Ousmane Dembele, who the German knows very well.
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