Chelsea may have been pushed to build one of the best midfielders in world football after Jude Bellingham’s comments. The Borussia Dortmund star is a big target at Stamford Bridge and has spoken about who he likes to associate with in the center of the park.
After the arrival of Graham Potter, it was revealed that he would be well supported during the next few transfer windows. The owner, Todd Boehly, insisted that there was a war chest budget that could be spent, and that the former Brighton boss was allowed to orchestrate a shake-up.
Bellingham is a name that has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, and Boehly doesn’t see his rising price tag as a problem. And since then, the teenager has spoken about how he enjoys playing with West Ham star Declan Rice, another long-term target for the Blues.
He said, “Declan is someone I admire a lot. He is a top, top player. He’s really good at what he does: he masters his craft, the kind of midfielder he is, he’s one of the best. I’ve played him a few times for England and it’s been a pleasure.
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“He allows me to do the things I want to do with the ball, go forward, try to get in and around the area. He gives you protection, so I think we complement each other very well.” Chelsea are expected to rebuild their midfield in the next 12 months, with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho out of contract at the end of the season.
However, the pair, for different reasons, is now being overshadowed by Mateo Kovacic. The Croatia international has been a regular inclusion under Potter and has been present at both ends of the field to help his new boss get off to an unbeaten start to his tenure.
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Kovacic could prove to be a valuable asset in the coming campaigns, although he may be forced out of Potter’s starting XI if the former Swansea boss decides to build an all-English midfield, with Mason Mount as the final piece of the puzzle.
Both Bellingham and Rice will cost the Blues over £100m each, though that won’t deter Boehly given his affection for big signings. The duo would provide Potter with a strong core that he could build on in the future, although his values could skyrocket to unattainable numbers for Chelsea to sign in the same window if they enjoy success at the World Cup in Qatar.
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