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Chelsea welcome reigning champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 18, for their Premier League opener. The Blues finished sixth in the league table last campaign and new manager Enzo Maresca will be expected to do better this season.
Meanwhile, the Blues are planning a swap deal with Juventus involving Federico Chiesa. Elsewhere, Conor Gallagher is likely to complete his move to Atletico Madrid this week.
On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from August 18, 2024.
Chelsea eyeing swap deal for Federico Chiesa
Chelsea are planning a swap deal involving Federico Chiesa and Raheem Sterling this summer, according to Calciomercato.com. The English forward hasn't lived up to expectations since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Manchester City two summers ago.
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Last season, Sterling registered 10 goals and eight assists from 43 games across competitions. Juventus are pleased with his efforts and want the 29-year-old in Turin. The Bianconeri are ready to let Chiesa leave this summer and want the Englishman to take his place.
The Italian forward hasn't been in his element in recent times, but his stock remains high. The Blues are also among his suitors and are now proposing a swap deal involving the 26-year-old and Sterling.
While the Serie A giants are open to such an arrangement, the Englishman's exorbitant wages are a problem. Sterling's salary is double that of Chiesa and Juventus can't afford it. As such, the Italian giants have moved on to alternate targets.
Conor Gallagher set to leave
Atletico Madrid are hoping to unveil Conor Gallagher as a new signing on Wednesday, August 21, according to Mundo Deportivo. The La Liga giants have already agreed a reported €40m fee with Chelsea for the English midfielder.
Gallagher's contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire at the end of this season and he hasn't agreed to a new deal. The 24-year-old was a first-team regular under Mauricio Pochettino last season but the Blues have opted to cash in on him this summer.
The Englishman had recently traveled to Madrid to complete his medicals, but some late complications saw the player return to England. It was suggested that the move was on the verge of collapsing, alerting Gallagher's other suitors like Tottenham Hotspur.
However, it appears that Los Rojiblancos are confident of clearing the air and getting their man this week. The La Liga giants are not considering alternatives and are working to unveil Gallagher soon.
Former player believes the Blues lack experience in the squad
Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes the club could struggle due to a lack of experience in the squad. The Blues have spent heavily in the transfer market this summer, investing mostly in talented young footballers.
Multiple names have also departed Stamford Bridge, including the experienced Thiago Silva. The London giants' tactics in the market have hinted at a lack of direction, earning widespread criticism.
Speaking to Get Football News France, Petit insisted that the lack of stability at Chelsea could hurt the club.
“I think they are lacking experience at the minute. Especially, in the big big positions in the team. They lack experienced players, they bought so many young players, and they have so many players, sometimes I have the feeling they are trying to do what they do in American sports. This is not American sports, this is European football," said Petit.
“You need consistency with your players. When you buy so many players, it brings confusion to the minds of players. The fact you don’t have big big experienced players to protect the younger players causes troubles. I don’t get it," he added.
The Frenchman concluded:
“I don’t know why they splash so much money every window and then are forced to sell players due to financial rules. Sometimes I am lost when I read articles about the transfer window because Chelsea are always interested in signing players. They are there all the time. Stability has been the main problem at Chelsea since Abramovich left.”
Recent reports have suggested that the Blues have their eyes on Atletico Madrid outcast Joao Felix. The Portugal international spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Stamford Bridge.
