Chelsea’s two transfer targets may spell bad news for Thomas Tuchel’s ‘next Frank Lampard’

Chelsea had a quiet January transfer window in which they opted not to sign a temporary replacement for injured left-wing-back Ben Chilwell or bring in a new centre-back despite three of their current options being out of contract in the summer. But plans are underway for the summer already, with three major targets identified according to reports.

The Athletic say that Thomas Tuchel’s shortlist includes long-term target Jules Kounde, the Sevilla centre-half, and midfielders Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni of West Ham and Monaco respectively. 

The report suggests that the Blues could look to bring both midfielders in despite counting N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as existing options in the position. The on-loan Saul Niguez is not expected to be signed permanently at this stage.

Thomas Tuchel’s formation generally sees him play with a two-man midfield although the Premier League win over Tottenham last month came in a 4-3-3 set-up, with Mason Mount acting as the most attacking option alongside Kovacic and Jorginho.

If Chelsea sign Rice and Tchouameni, that takes them to seven midfielders – though there are also two players out on loan in the English top-flight with Stamford Bridge ambitions who must not be forgotten.

One is the promising Billy Gilmour at Norwich and the other is the highly-impressive Conor Gallagher at Crystal Palace, who has made it publicly clear he hopes to break into Tuchel’s thinking for next season.

Following on from an impressive campaign on loan at West Brom last term, where he emerged as one of the Baggies’ best players despite their eventual relegation, Gallagher is thriving as a No 8 under Patrick Vieira at Palace.

The 21-year-old has seven goals and three assists in 19 league matches and his form has seen him touted as a player who can make an impact at Chelsea next term.

Vieira, a top-class Premier League midfielder himself with Arsenal, has even likened the goalscorer to Lampard and Gunners icon Ray Parlour.

The Frenchman said: “Conor has this passion for the game when he is on the field like a Ray Parlour, but I would say he has maybe the quality finishing of a Frank Lampard.

“It is a manager’s dream to have a player like Conor because when he is on the field, he will give everything. He is focused, concentrated and will always give his best. This is something that for me is really important.”

Even then though, if only one of Rice or Tchouameni come in, they will surely be signed as a starter. Kante and Kovacic would then battle Gallagher for the other role in a two-man midfield, which would see his minutes cut significantly compared to this season.

Gallagher’s versatility helps him because it means he can play as an attack-minded midfield in a 4-3-3, but so too can Mount, arguably Chelsea’s most influential attacking player, which means he would still be hard-pressed for starts.

Given the competition for places, Tuchel already faces a headache over how he plans to utilise Gallagher’s talents next season, although he’s spoken highly of him.

But bringing in Rice or Tchouameni – or even both of them – might only make it more difficult for Tuchel to decide the make-up of his midfield next season. It’ll be up to Gallagher to prove he’s too good to ignore.