What Chelsea need to do before Monday's transfer deadline
It's been the transfer window of dreams for Chelsea. Timo Werner and Kai Havertz both arrived from Bundesliga sides RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, and the attacking pair are joined by Hakim Ziyech, who while his move from Ajax was confirmed in February, he only made the switch this summer.
Between the sticks, Edouard Mendy is an upgrade on Kepa and Willy Caballero, Thiago Silva adds experience to a youthful backline, that in itself bolstered by the free capture of Malang Sarr, and at left-back; Chelsea secured the services of long-term target Ben Chilwell.
Where they are weak
Chelsea have added quality to every area of the pitch, bar central midfield. Ross Barkley has departed on loan to Aston Villa and, with days of the transfer window remaining, Jorginho continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. With lingering concerns over Ruben Loftus-Cheek's fitness given his history with injuries, Chelsea remain weak in the middle of the park.
None of the options at Frank Lampard's disposal carry out the duties he requires of a midfielder in his desired setup and he is looking to add another ball winner to the squad before Monday's 11pm deadline. Chelsea of course have cash to burn despite spending big this summer as they went two transfer windows without spending, though one of those was due to a transfer ban.
The Transfer Targets
In their push for a ball winner, one name continues to crop up - Declan Rice. There are a host of defensive midfielders in the game that would improve Chelsea, but Frank Lampard seems hellbent on securing the former Chelsea academy product. Friends with Blues man Mason Mount, there's a relationship in place that would help Rice settle should he swap west for west London.
Who they should sign
We could spend hours discussing the holding midfielder Chelsea should sign before the close of the transfer window, but it would all be a moot point. The fact is Lampard wants Rice. West Ham, though, won't allow the England international to leave on the cheap, with it rumoured the Hammers want around £80m for their prized asset.
It's for good reason, too. Rice has won possession in the defensive third 158 times since the start of the 2019/20 Premier League season; Only Conor Coady (185) and Lewis Dunk (178) have done so more times over the same period. The ability to shield the backline would be a huge boost for a Chelsea side that remains suspect at the back despite hefty investment this summer and if the Blues can negotiate a fee down for Rice, then they should probably pursue the 21-year-old.
