Todd Boehly given final Chelsea transfer instruction after Romeo Lavia and Michael Olise deals
Chelsea have been encouraged to sign one more midfielder before the summer transfer window slams shut. Following the departures of N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount, Mauricio Pochettino found himself short on options in the middle of the park.
At first, it seemed as if the Blues would simply promote Cesare Casadei and Andrey Santos to the first-team following loan spells at Reading and Vasco da Gama, respectively. The duo were heavily involved during Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States, and they impressed.
But, despite their best efforts, the west Londoners were still missing a world-class ball-winner who could free Enzo Fernandez from the shackles of the holding midfield role. So, Chelsea entered the market and they quickly got their hands on Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes.
Like Casadei and Santos, the 19-year-old has tremendous potential, but Pochettino was clearly after somebody with Premier League experience. So, the Blues accelerated their pursuits for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Chelsea snatched the former from Liverpool's grasp, with the latter expected to follow him through the doors at Stamford Bridge. While the west Londoners look set to sign two excellent young players, William Gallas believes that Pochettino's midfield is still missing something – a senior figurehead.
In an interview with Genting Casino, the Frenchman said: «The policy of Chelsea is to take on the best young players in the world at the moment. Lavia is 19, but I’m not sure why Chelsea are only looking at young players.
»With only young players, you cannot win the Premier League, as you need experience. Chelsea will not win the Premier League this season. The signings of Lavia and Caicedo are good — but they are for the
Read on football.london
