Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues eyeing Lecce ace, club plan to offload Carney Chukwuemeka, and more - September 8, 2024

Chelsea are preparing to travel to the Vitality Stadium next Saturday (September 14) to face Bournemouth in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca's team have just one win in three games in the league this season and need three points against the Cherries.

Meanwhile, the Blues are interested in a Danish left-back who plays for Lecce. Elsewhere, the London giants are willing to offload Carney Chukwuemeka next year.

On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from September 8, 2024.

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Chelsea eyeing Patrick Dorgu, says Fabrizio Romano.

Patrick Dorgu

Chelsea are interested in Patrick Dorgu, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Danish left-back has caught the eye with Lecce of late.

Last season, the 19-year-old registered two goals and one assist from 34 games across competitions for the Serie A side. Dorgu has been in fine form this campaign as well and has turned heads at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said the Blues will face competition from Tottenham Hotspur for the Dane.

“He was first of all in the list of Tottenham. One of the players Tottenham considered for the full-back position was Patrick Dorgu. Really appreciated by the club but not a deal to make this summer," Romano said.

He continued:

“But for both Tottenham and Blue Co, Chelsea, Strasbourg group the deal was considered too expensive because Lecce asked more for than £30m-£35m more than this to get the deal done. Lecce believe that Dorgu is a super talent, so Chelsea, Tottenham, several clubs follow him and monitoring him but is still considered too expensive."

He concluded:

“They want to make an investment on him still not spending crazy money because the player still has to develop but Lecce always say more than £30m-£35m for the player this summer and he stayed at the club. But keep an eye on this player for the future because I’m sure Tottenham and Chelsea will keep monitoring him.”

Enzo Maresca has already banished Ben Chilwell from his first-team squad and Dorgu could be the Englishman's replacement.

Blues plan to offload Carney Chukwuemeka, says journalist

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chelsea are ready to offload Carney Chukwuemeka in 2025, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs. The English midfielder is highly rated at Stamford Bridge but has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular so far.

The player was linked with an exit this summer but a move failed to materialize. The 20-year-old is yet to feature under Enzo Maresca this season, further adding to speculation regarding his future.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs said Chukwuemeka will be given the opportunity to prove his worth this season.

"Chelsea, don't look at Chukwuemeka as somebody that is a big outlay on the wage bill. Nor was he signed for a particularly large fee," Jacobs said.

He continued:

"It was a big fee, given his age and his profile at the time, but it's under £20million all in so Chelsea, want to give the player the opportunity to maybe change their mind or move higher in the pecking order, and that may come through a loan to get him more minutes, or if something can't be facilitated, they'll be open for a sale in 2025."

Chukwuemeka is under contract with the London giants until 2028 and recent reports have suggested that AC Milan want him in Serie A.

Former player backs Enzo Maresca to get the best out of Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho

Former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke believes Enzo Maresca is the right man to help Jadon Sancho regain his mojo. The English forward has lost his way in recent seasons, failing to live up to expectations since his move to Old Trafford in 2021.

Manchester United opted to send him out on loan to Stamford Bridge this summer. The move has raised a lot of questions, especially since there's already a plethora of attacking talents under Maresca.

However, in his column for the Premier League's website, Clarke insisted that Sancho could flourish under the Italian manager.

“Sancho’s stellar performances for Borussia Dortmund, en route to last season’s UEFA Champions League final, were a reminder of his capabilities," Clarke wrote.

He continued:

“So, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca holds the key to bringing the best out of him. The Italian’s style of football, encouraging his wide players to be positive in 1v1s, should suit Sancho.”

The Blues reportedly have an obligation to buy the 24-year-old if they finish 14th or higher in the league this season.