Chelsea has reportedly expressed interest in Nicolo Barella, the 26-year-old Italian international currently playing for Inter Milan. This development comes as the Blues seek to bolster their midfield, following a disappointing 12th place finish in the recent season.
Pochettino’s Blueprint for Success
Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, is keen on reshaping the squad to align with his vision. The club’s recent performance has drawn criticism, especially considering the substantial investments made in the past two transfer windows. Pochettino’s strategy involves a significant overhaul, with several players expected to depart and new ones to arrive.
Midfield Exodus and the Search for a Partner
Chelsea’s midfield has seen a significant shakeup, with N’Golo Kante already having left for Saudi Arabia. Rumours are also swirling around Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic, while Jorginho departed in January. This leaves Enzo Fernandez as the only player with a confirmed spot in the team.
The club’s primary objective is to find a suitable partner for Fernandez. However, they have already lost out on top target Manuel Ugarte and face stiff competition from Arsenal for Moises Caicedo.
Italian International on Chelsea Radar as Club Makes Enquiry
Chelsea’s search has now led them to Nicolo Barella. According to Felix Johnstone, Chelsea has already enquired about Barella during their talks with Inter Milan. The midfielder has attracted considerable interest from the Premier League, with Chelsea now joining the fray.
Understand Chelsea enquired about Nicolò Barella during informal talks this week with Inter Milan representatives.
— Felix (@FelixJohnston_) June 10, 2023
Chelsea also enquired about Onana & Lautaro Martinez & discussed Lukaku.
Chelsea expect to lose lots of midfielders this summer, so Barella was brought up. pic.twitter.com/f1D2ZGJCQU
The discussions between Chelsea and Inter also involved goalkeeper Andre Onana and striker Lautaro Martinez. There might have been talks about Romelu Lukaku as well, but the Barella subject could prove to be more intriguing. Inter Milan is likely to demand a hefty fee for Barella, a price Chelsea might not be willing to pay.
The Road Ahead
The potential transfer fee for Barella could be comparable to what Brighton is asking for Caicedo. Any further discussions will have to wait until after the Champions League Final. However, securing a deal for the Inter Milan star could present significant challenges.
As the transfer window approaches, Chelsea’s pursuit of a new midfield dynamo is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
