Chelsea are in for a busy summer transfer window following Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club. Whilst it's been a season of turmoil and upheaval for the west London outfit; their goals for the 2022/23 campaign remain the same.
Closing the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool as well competing for silverware both on the domestic front and also in the Champions League. The Blues' squad will undoubtedly need strengthening in order to achieve those particular objectives.
With N’Golo Kante and Jorginho both out of contract next summer, the club will be keen to recruit a younger central midfielder of immense ability and potential. One player who fits that bill and has consistently been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge is West Ham star Declan Rice.
READ MORE: Presnel Kimpembe defends past PSG comments on future amid Chelsea transfer interest
The 23-year-old has taken his game to another level this season; proving he is more than just a defensive midfielder with his driving runs into the opposition’s box. It's also his most prolific campaign since he broke into the Hammers first team; with five goals and four assists to his name this term.
Rice was also an integral part of West Ham’s run to the Europa League semi-finals and has been a key figure in their quest to qualify for European football for the second successive season. However, he is expected to depart the east London club in order to play Champions League football and win trophies.
The England star was part of the Blues youth set-up before he was released at the age of 14 and has consistently been linked with a return to the club. His style of play is very similar to Kante’s and at seven years the Frenchman’s junior would be the ideal long-term replacement.
With that said, is there a place for Rice in Tuchel's starting XI? Here, we take a look at how Chelsea could line-up next season with the Hammers midfielder in the side:
GK: Edouard Mendy
RCB: Cesar Azpilicueta
CB: Trevoh Chalobah
LCB: Malang Sarr
RWB: Reece James
CM: Declan Rice
CM: Mateo Kovacic
LWB: Ben Chilwell
RW: Mason Mount
LW: Timo Werner
ST: Kai Havertz
