Chelsea’s defensive plans revealed after missing out on Ake

An perception into the contingency plans of Premier League giants Chelsea, after lacking out on the signing of Nathan Ake, has been offered on Friday.

The final couple of weeks, in fact, have seen the switch group at Stamford Bridge step up efforts to bolster the membership’s backline in a serious means.

On the again of the free agent departures of each Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, the Blues have been compelled into a serious reshuffle, with no fewer than three additions to the center of the membership’s defence now understood to be on the agenda.

With a deal for Napoli standout Kalidou Koulibaly within the bag, the Blues, in flip, had since shifted their focus to Manchester Metropolis star Nathan Ake.

The Dutchman, in fact as soon as a member of the youth setup in west London, was broadly anticipated to seal a £45 million return to the English capital over the course of the approaching week, to battle it out for a beginning berth.

It due to this fact got here as a serious shock when, this morning, phrase was forthcoming that Ake was as an alternative primed to remain put, owing to a ‘mutual resolution’ made by all the defender, Chelsea and Metropolis.

? Nathan Ake staying at Manchester Metropolis. Chelsea confirmed a powerful curiosity however #MCFC would solely promote if valuation met. That hasn’t occurred & mutual resolution taken for 27yo Dutch defender to stay & play key half in Pep Guardiola plans @TheAthleticUK #CFC https://t.co/Ehz9VbBNpg

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 15, 2022

So, the place do the powers that be at Stamford Bridge go from right here?

Effectively, as alluded to above, an perception into exactly that has since been offered.

The information comes courtesy of the dependable Simon Phillips, who has revealed that Chelsea have turned their ‘full focus’ in the direction of closing a deal for Paris Saint-Germain star Presnel Kimpembe.

Not solely that, however, considerably, it is usually instructed that long-time goal Jules Kounde is one other title to maintain a detailed eye on.

Advised Chelsea didn’t wish to match the payment for Manchester Metropolis, so ‘full focus’ turned to Presnel Kimpembe. My supply reiterated to look out for Jules Kounde.

— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) July 15, 2022

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