Chelsea’s summer checklist revealed as Potter eyes new signings, contract renewals, squad overhaul & Joao Felix future

Graham Potter’s Chelsea focus remains on the pitch to clinch Champions League qualification for next season, but the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership have already started planning for the 2023/24 campaign.

It’s been a challenging season for the Blues so far which has seen lots of changes be made at Chelsea on and off the pitch. A whole host of signings have been made, eight made in January, as well as a brand new sporting department.

Boehly and Co are starting to find their feet and settle at Stamford Bridge following their £4.25 billion takeover in May 2022.

Potter is aiming to finish in the top four despite being ten points off Newcastle United heading into the second part of the season. However, the Chelsea head coach and many of his players – Silva, Badiashile and Azpilicueta – have publicly refused to give up on closing the gap.

After a busy January, Chelsea’s work off the pitch continues and their plan between now and the end of the summer transfer window has been outlined.

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New signings

The club has already splashed in excess of £600 million since the new owners took over at Chelsea last May, and there is no sign of the spending slowing down.

Chelsea, as reported by Adam Newson, have already set their sights on strengthening two positions this summer. The goalkeeper department is looking to be added two, with the long-term futures of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy uncertain.

David Raya of Brentford has been linked, with the Blues having already recently signed Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire.

The other position Chelsea are looking to add to is the midfield despite the British record signing of Enzo Fernandez last month.

Adam Newson continues to report that West Ham midfielder Declan Rice remains a key target for Chelsea despite strong interest from Arsenal, who believe they lead the race for the England international.

Interest from Jude Bellingham is also there, but both midfielder’s are set to command heavy competitions with both likely to be on the move in the summer.

Christopher Nkunku is also set to join in the summer from RB Leipzig following a pre-agreement, while Malo Gusto will join up with the squad after his January move from Lyon, which saw him loaned back for the rest of the season.

Contract renewals

Among the desire for new signings, Chelsea are also focused on tying down many players to new contracts.

Thiago Silva is set to pen a one-year contract extension to take him through into his fourth season at the club.

The 38-year-old, who turns 39 in September, confirmed last week that an agreement was on the verge of being finalised. He told ESPN Brasil: “We are talking about it, everything will probably happen in the next few days. My intention, and that of the club as well, is to stay together. I know that the club needs me right now. I am here to be able to help, they are young players, anyway.

“I know that, with my experience, I can help in this process of rebuilding the club, I’m here for that, willing to do this, however, I know that my responsibility is very great.”

Talks remain ongoing with Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante over new deals but no new deals have yet been agreed. Click here for the full story.

Fabrizio Romano claims talks are ongoing with Lewis Hall’s representatives over a new deal for the youngster at Stamford Bridge.

Squad overhaul

It has been previously reported by Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph that a squad overhaul has been planned for the summer as the new owners look to refine Potter’s current squad, which has gotten so big that the dressing room has needed to be extended to squeeze extra players in.

In Chelsea’s ‘Enzo’s first week as a Blue’ video, love how there isn’t any room in the main dressing room at Cobham so Lewis Hall and David Datro Fofana have to go in the side room. Wonder where Enzo is getting slotted in. pic.twitter.com/mDgRXmEFaq

— Matt Debono (@MattDebonoAC) February 5, 2023

Jorginho was the first player to depart in January for Arsenal, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to joining Los Angeles FC on loan after he was left out of the club’s 25-man Champions League squad for the remainder of the season.

Offers are going to be considered for many players, with Jacob Steinberg reporting Christian Pulisic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic all being on the chopping block and at risk of leaving Chelsea.

Hakim Ziyech, who saw a January deadline day loan move to PSG collapse, could also depart, while Callum Hudson-Odoi is ‘unlikely to stay’ once he returns from his Bayer Leverkusen loan spell.

Joao Felix future

The 23-year-old joined from Atletico Madrid last month for the remainder of the season after Chelsea paid £9.7 million for his services.

Felix will return to selection against West Ham after serving his suspension from his red card on his debut last month against Fulham.

Chelsea have no option to buy in the Portuguese’s deal this summer, but should he succeed it may tempt the club in trying to make his deal permanent.

They will also need to decide whether or not to trigger Denis Zakaria’s option to buy clause in his loan deal from Juventus.

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All eyes will now be on Potter and Chelsea to see how they fare on the pitch and whether or not they can make a late charge into the Champions League places.