This felt like it was going to be a busy window for Chelsea, and there have been no shortage of rumours, but we’re now 20 days in and we’ve had no confirmed sales, and no purchases apart from those set to take place this summer.
Renato Veiga’s potential departure to Borussia Dortmund has been perhaps the strongest link all month, yet we’ve not heard many updates on that since last week. Big names like Fabrizio Romano were all over it though, and so we still believe it’s a possibility.
If Veiga does go, Chelsea will be short a left back. Marc Cucurella has established himself as Enzo Maresca’s first choice, but Veiga has been his regular backup in cup games.
The suggestion that the Blues would muddle through by using either Reece James or Malo Gusto inverted on that side if Veiga were to be sold doesn’t really wash – James’ fitness can’t be relied upon, and Gusto’s form on the right has been bad enough, the last thing we need to see is him on the left.
So the links to several lefts backs make sense – not least Patrick Dorgu, who was previously reported to be a “priority” signing for the Blues this month.
Dorgu could make Man U move before Chelsea get into gear
Well, if they want that to happen they’d better get a move on. Manchester United are now being heavily linked with the Lecce player, with Ben Jacobs backing up David Ornstein’s view that the defender could move for €25m-30m.
That’s a bargain really – if we were to sell Veiga for a similar price that would feel like a big upgrade. But at the moment everything feels paralysed as we wait to see whether any sales will actually take place.
The sporting directors need to make some decisive moves and take charge of this window before it gets away from them.
