Chelsea 'identify areas to strengthen in summer transfer window'

Chelsea have reportedly earmarked four key positions that need to be strengthened ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Blues have splashed out over £1bn on players since Todd Boehly's consortium purchased the club in the summer of 2022.

Over the last couple of years, Chelsea have spent considerable funds on the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Marc Cucurella.

The money spent in the transfer market is yet to be properly reflected on the pitch, with Chelsea still looking to reach the heights of the Roman Abramovich era.

They have shown some signs of promise this season, reaching the EFL Cup final and the FA Cup semi-final, while climbing up the Premier League table in recent weeks.

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Chelsea identify key areas ahead of summer transfer window

However, the sixth-placed side still appears to be some way off from challenging the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.

With the club keen to take a step forward next season, The Telegraph are reporting that they have identified four key areas that require strengthening.

Their top three priorities are to recruit a striker, a central defender and a left-back, while they are also considering whether to bring in a new goalkeeper.

The report claims that Chelsea's sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart will continue to oversee recruitment after receiving the backing of co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

They are set to work with the club's director of global recruit Sam Jewell following his recent arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Winstanley and Stewart may be safe in their roles, but the Chelsea hierarchy will make a final decision on Mauricio Pochettino's future following an end-of-season review.

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Why do Chelsea want to recruit in four position?

Nicolas Jackson has experienced a reasonable first season at Stamford Bridge, having scored 17 goals in 42 competitive appearances.

However, the Blues are keen to bring in a new striker to provide competition, and an extra striker will become even more crucial if Chelsea secure European football.

The Blues will have to sign a new centre-back to replace Thiago Silva, who will leave the club at the end of the season.

Chelsea are also left keen to add further strength-in-depth to the left-back position after seeing Ben Chilwell and Cucurella affected by injury this season.

Meanwhile, Djordje Petrovic has established himself as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper ahead of former Brighton shot-stopper Robert Sanchez.

Although Petrovic has started 20 consecutive Premier League games, the Blues could look to sign a new number one ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

In addition to potential incoming, Chelsea may have to offload homegrown talents to ensure that they meet the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.