Chelsea are in the doldrums, but Xabi Alonso is building something at Stamford Bridge and the Blues are expected to challenge for the title again next season.
Even last season, reaching the FA Cup final despite so many things going wrong probably shows that Chelsea are capable of fighting for trophies.
But with Marc Cucurella sold to Real Madrid and Enzo Fernandes himself keen to leave, there is an undeniable sense that Chelsea are losing some of their superstar power, and their Premier League slump reflects that.
Chelsea’s recent Premier League finish | ||
|---|---|---|
season | point | league standings |
25/26 | 52 | 10th place |
24/25 | 69 | 4th place |
23/24 | 63 | 6th place |
22/23 | 44 | 12th |
21/22 | 74 | 3rd place |
20/21 | 67 | 4th place |
Gone are the days when N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas were marshaling their way around in the middle of the park. Replacing a player like Kante is easier said than done, but Chelsea need to target players who can take this project to greater heights.
Bruco decided Andrei Santos was not up to the task despite his potential, and the Brazilian was set to be sold to rivals Manchester United.
Why it’s time for Santos to leave Chelsea
Santos flew back to Chelsea from Strasbourg last summer. He was outstanding in France under manager Liam Rosenior, with analyst Ben Mattinson hailing him as a “dueling monster” with “everything you want in a central midfielder”.
However, he only started 13 games in the Premier League last season, leaving a lot to be desired. It felt like Santos lacked the poise and confidence that inspired him during his time in France, unable to grab opponents by the scruff of the neck or provide the all-action presence Chelsea needed in the center of the field.
Fernandes’ future in west London may be uncertain, but Santos’ hopes of playing a central role for years to come have been put in jeopardy after Moises Caicedo signed a new seven-year contract in April.
Some may think selling him to Man Utd is a risky bet, but the Red Devils paid £50m for his contract and it’s hard to argue that it wouldn’t be good business for Todd Boley et al.
At 22 years old, Santos is full of potential, but he’s not the only talented up-and-comer. If Chelsea can replace Santos with an even better midfielder, Alonso could laugh his way past the Old Trafford side next season.
Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka is proving difficult to sign, but signing a big Premier League star who could become Chelsea’s new version of Kante could dwarf any short-term relief the veteran Swiss midfielder would provide.
How can Alonso find Chelsea’s new Kante?
Chelsea added Marco Palestra to their squad this summer, with Giovani Quenda set to move to Stamford Bridge. These are strong signings, but Chelsea need players with Premier League experience to move up the table.
To do that, even if Fernandes stays, they will need to strengthen their midfield. Xhaka is an interesting target, but the Blues will need a long-term addition who can make a Kante-like impact.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott could be that man. According to Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, there is a good chance the 22-year-old midfielder could be a target for the Blues following Man United’s move to Santos. It is said that negotiations have already begun with the player’s camp.
United are interested in Scott, but they are unlikely to meet the £80m valuation needed to sign the England international, giving Chelsea a solid chance at one of the most exciting players in the division.
According to content creator Seb Martin, signing Scott would be a really exciting move for Chelsea to make, especially since the Guernsey-born midfielder is “Tottenham through and through”. He made 89 appearances for the Cherries and became a mainstay in manager Andoni Iraola’s successful system.
Whether he will match Kante’s achievements at Stamford Bridge is one question, but his fluid, technical style is underpinned by the composure and ball-running ability that Kante used to fuel his own ambitions in the English game, ambitions that he certainly fulfilled.
Analyst Raj Chauhan said: “Scott is very good at making himself available in space and making the right pass choices.” He is instinctive and has a strong sense of responsibility, both when he is in possession of the ball and when he is focused on winning it back.
Although he is still young, he has already shown a maturity that Santos has not been able to emulate so far, which could make him a blockbuster signing for this Chelsea team, giving him enough experience to become a world-class outlet under manager Alonso, who is known for his tactical expertise and raising the level of the player.
Premier League Statistics (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | Santos | Scott |
Match (start) | 27(13) | 37(34) |
Goal + Assist | 1 + 0 | 3+1 |
touch* | 36.6 | 54.2 |
Exact path* | 26.6 (90%) | 31.9 (85%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 1 | 4 |
Key pass* | 0.3 | 0.8 |
Loss of ownership* | 3.7 | 10.4 |
It was successful. dribble* | 0.1 (40%) | 0.8 (56%) |
Ball recovery rate* | 1.8 | 5.3 |
Tackle + Interception* | 2.1 | 2.6 |
clearance* | 0.7 | 2.2 |
Win a duel* | 2.8 (62%) | 5.0 (56%) |
The Scot is no Kante, but his athleticism and intelligence across midfield could allow him to play an influential midfield role to rival the French legend, especially considering he will be supported by the tough-tackling Caicedo.
Scott has a decidedly different profile from Santos. He has more power and influence on the ball. He may not be a carbon copy of a player like Kante in that regard, but he may end up enjoying a similar effect to the diminutive French midfielder who arrived from Leicester City and achieved greatness (and even more).
Like Kante, Scott also has extensive Premier League experience and could be a valuable addition to struggling Chelsea. The Blues won the 2016/17 title in Kante’s first season as manager, but finished in 10th place the year before.
This will be an important signing for Chelsea. Could they step over the line and give Alonso a virtually instant upgrade on a midfielder who played a bit part role in a team that struggled last season?
