Chelsea are starting to behave like a club that has a plan in the transfer market, although the fruits of some decisions are yet to be borne.
Their far-reaching sales process was expected, but not with the same efficiency they have shown in the opening month of the summer window. Four weeks on and they are averaging more than two senior players departing every seven days.
It has helped them recover £237million ($304million) at a time when financial pressure and balance sheets were needed. Not to mention, it helps bring in cash that can be spent on other players.
But they have also made strides in other areas to form the foundations of a hungry, young squad for Mauricio Pochettino. The youth recruitment push continues with many players being added to the academy set-up, while the best crop of arrivals are training with the senior side to prove themselves to the management of the first team.
While far from a finished article and structure at this stage, the stepping stones are in place for the long-term vision of Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital. Evidence for it is also only just beginning to emerge.
Their latest deal, which will go under the radar, is to make Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg the first side as part of the official BlueCo multi-club model. Bought for around 75 million pounds ($96.2 million), the French outfit was taken over by the Blues consortium as they partner with president Marc Keller to provide support for the project.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: “Done deal”, Cherki talks, Caicedo breakthrough, Pulisic regrets
Despite concerns from the club’s fans, Strasbourg are now poised to benefit from the move immediately as promising defender Abakar Sylla closes in on a move. For a reported £14.5million ($18.6million), the Ivorian will join Strasbourg from Club Brugge in Belgium. However, Chelsea’s influence cannot be overlooked with Fabrizio Romano reporting that their supervision was key.
The Blues are said to see Sylla as a player with great potential who could become one of the first stars to move between the clubs at a later date, thus demonstrating the benefits of such a partnership. However, there may well be longer-term consequences of the agreement.
Sylla is a left-footed, 20-year-old centre-back with just over a year of senior experience. At Chelsea, returning for pre-season in the coming days, is Levi Colwill. The Cobham graduate can best be described as a left-footed, 20-year-old centre-back with just over a year of senior experience.
His loan to Brighton made him look to fans, but those at Chelsea have been convinced they had a gem for some time. It was a surprise to many that it took until after the World Cup for him to become a regular, such is his quality both on the ball and in defence.
Colwill came to life under Roberto De Zerbi and quickly emerged as one of the most talented players in his position across the continent. The fact that he has been the subject of bids of £30million ($38million) and £40million ($51million) from the Seagulls, both of which were quickly rejected out of hand, is testament to how well-considered he is.
There are, understandably, questions about his future. Chelsea have been lax with their development of home-grown players in recent years, despite notable successes along the way. Colwill has two years on his contract with the option of a third but is yet to commit long-term as he waits to discuss plans with Pochettino.
The likely reality, based on his quality and the plan evident so far under Pochettino, is that Colwill will be a key member of the squad, play strongly in pre-season and things will progress smoothly from there towards a new contract . Arsenal had the same process with William Saliba last year.
However, the nagging question of Chelsea’s mistakes in the past and potential bids cast doubt on that, and clubs will make their move if they feel things are stalling. soccer.london understand that Liverpool are in the mix in that situation.
Now, with Sylla being added to the wider BlueCo group, Chelsea have a ready replacement for Colwill should the worst happen. The Club will not be keen to depend on such a result; Colwill is seen as the future and a player for the here and now and the years to come, but the transfer window is unpredictable.
Having Sylla and Colwill together would be something they are eager to explore in the future with all options considered, but for now they will have to do their development separately.
Additionally, Benoit Badiashile is another young left-footed centre-back with high hopes for Chelsea who has arrived for a reasonable fee. £35m ($44.9m) was paid for him in January and combining his skills with Colwill is enough to get on with for Pochettino without thinking about Sylla.
At least right now he has to be a Strasbourg player and not a Chelsea player.
Which of the following prospects would you like to see in the first team or loaned out for experience? Swipe to have your say…