As the summer transfer window approaches, the task for Chelsea is a difficult one: close the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool ahead of the new season. The Blues finished 18 points behind the Reds, who ended up in second place in the recently-concluded 2021/22 season.
In truth, the Premier League's top two were seemingly in a league of their own last time out. In the early stages of the campaign, Chelsea were many people's dark horses to challenge Liverpool and Man City for the title, but a chaotic second half of the season saw the Blues fall off.
Now, with the summer transfer window just around the corner, there are even more challenges being thrown at Chelsea. There are set to be a number of exits from the club over the next few months, meaning replacements and upgrades will need to be found elsewhere.
READ MORE: Roman Abramovich Chelsea legacy instantly hands Todd Boehly four defining questions
Antonio Rudiger is looking all but confirmed to join Real Madrid over the window, with the German out of contract at Chelsea at the end of next month. Likewise, Andreas Christensen looks to join his team-mate out of the exit door, with Barcelona interested in the Denmark international.
Replacements for the duo need to be found and Chelsea would like to conduct any business as quickly and as efficiently as possible. football.london understands that Jules Kounde is the club's priority target this summer as the Blues look to bring the talented Sevilla centre-back to the club a year after just missing out on him.
The 23-year-old now has just over two years remaining on his contract with the Seville-based outfit and he wants to leave the club before the start of next season. football.london has been told that Kounde relishes the physical challenge that comes with playing in the Premier League.
Josko Gvardiol is also being considered by Chelsea after the young defender's impressive season in Germany for RB Leipzig. The 20-year-old played 45 times for Leipzig over the 2021/22 season and is now one of the most sought-after defenders in European football.
Meanwhile, Gleison Bremer from Torino is another option for Chelsea. football.london understands Bremer has been watched extensively by the west Londoners over the last season.
Pau Torres is another one. The Villarreal defender, like Bremer and Gvardiol, was watched plenty of times over the 2021/22 season and could be on his way out of the Spanish club this summer.
Now, Torres has opened up on his future and has insisted he is remaining "calm" over speculation linking him with a switch to the Premier League. "Right now, there is nothing at all, there is talk of many things like every year," the Villarreal defender said, via the Mirror.
"I have peace of mind being where they want me, at the club of my life and I have this offer right now as I value as very positive. There is nothing right now. The only thing I have is the offer from Villarreal, so I am very calm."
