Wednesday, 8 August 2018

Chelsea ready to let four midfielders go as Mateo Kovacic is set to leave Real Madrid

Unknown August 08, 2018 FOOTBALL, SOCCER, SPORTS

Chelsea & Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic

On Tuesday Marca broke the news that Chelsea were close to signing Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic on loan.

Marca claimed that Kovacic has told Real Madrid he no longer wishes to train with Los Blancos.

Moreover, Marca believed that a deal to join Chelsea on loan could be sealed imminently.

La situación de Kovacic en el Madrid se desbloquea. El jugador ha entrenado en solitario tras saber que el club ha cambiado su postura. El acuerdo de su cesión al Chelsea se anunciará en las próximas horas https://t.co/AGVJYTTCi8

— FichajesMARCA (@Marcatransfer) August 7, 2018

For the record, to-date Chelsea’s only major outfield recruit this summer has been Jorginho’s move from Napoli.

On Wednesday morning the Times have also reported on Chelsea’s Kovacic chase.

The broadsheet confirms that Real Madrid have offered “Chelsea the chance to sign Mateo Kovacic” on a season-long loan.

Chelsea also hope to sign Kovacic after he reiterated his determination to leave Real to play regularly. Real do not want to sell the midfielder because he is 24 and seen as a prospective successor to Luka Modric, his Croatian compatriot who is eight years older. A loan deal is therefore more likely.

Chelsea’s four midfielders up for sale

If Kovacic does arrive, Chelsea will have a surplus of midfielders on their books.

Maurizio Sarri appears to favour a 4-3-3 formation.

N’Golo Kante and Jorginho seem locked in for two of the three midfield slots in the Chelsea XI. Most have suggested that Cesc Fabregas and Ross Barkley are fighting over the final midfield slot.

Yet, if Kovacic does sign on at Stamford Bridge, the Croat would surely be in line for that position.

Either way, Sarri will have a tough time trying to keep all his players happy. Which is why the Times today note that four players could leave the Blues before Thursday’s 5pm cut-off in the transfer window:

Kovacic’s arrival would probably mean that at least one of Danny Drinkwater, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tiémoué Bakayoko will leave Chelsea.

West Ham are interested in Drinkwater, while AC Milan are sniffing around Bakayoko.

Loftus-Cheek may end up moving abroad in 2018-19.