The Todd Boehly era is in full swing, with Los Angeles fittingly the scene for star arrivals as Chelsea look to complete their business in the transfer market before the Premier League begins.
Raheem Sterling was unveiled as a Chelsea player in LA on Wednesday, with Kalidou Koulibaly reportedly set to join the club on their pre-season tour in the USA after undergoing a medical in London on Thursday.
Both players are likely to be regular starters for head coach Thomas Tuchel, while the signings signal immediate intent from new co-owner and chairman Boehly, who is handling recruitment this summer before hiring a director of football.
Koulibaly was rarely away from the gossip columns during his time at Napoli having long been linked with a host of European clubs, and while there will be an intrigue over how he adapts to the Premier League, Sterling needs no such time to settle in that regard.
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“He’s a big improvement to our squad and is exactly what we were looking for in terms of age, experience, and style of play.
“Once the players arrive these days in a situation where they only have one year [left on their] contract, there’s always room for negotiation and possibility. We went for it. We could convince him very quickly. He was convinced, he did everything that was needed to do, we gave our best to make it happen. It’s a perfect fit.
“He gives us a lot of flexibility, mobility and attacking options at the front.”
Indeed, with Romelu Lukaku departing – on loan to Inter for one season at least – and Sterling arriving, fluidity up front could be the way going forward for Tuchel, who has reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
The German’s most-favoured formation of 2021-22 was 3-4-2-1, although there was a late flirtation with 3-4-1-2 – a subtle change but one that would potentially alter Sterling’s role within the side.
Chelsea’s starting formations in 2021-22
Ranked by frequency across all competitions per transfermarkt
- 32 matches – 3-4-2-1
- 9 matches – 3-4-1-2
- 7 matches – 3-5-2
- 4 matches – 3-4-3
- 3 matches – 4-3-3
- 3 matches – 4-2-3-1
- 2 matches – 4-1-4-1
- 1 match – 5-3-2
- 1 match – 5-4-1
- 1 match – 4-4-2
The England international started a handful of Manchester City’s games as their centre-forward last season, and he could line-up alongside Kai Havertz in a 3-4-1-2 or behind the 23-year-old in a 3-4-2-1.
Sterling could even displace Havertz as the sole No 9, but his prowess as a left- or right-sided winger means Tuchel could also revert to four at the back and allow the 27-year-old to operate with Ben Chilwell or Reece James – players Sterling will be familiar with during England duty – on either side.
In terms of competition, Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner will look to challenge Sterling for starting spots, but Hakim Ziyech appears to be close to a loan move to AC Milan.
In defence, meanwhile, signing a player of Koulibaly’s calibre was a near necessity after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, the pair joining Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively after running down their contracts.
Chelsea are reportedly close to re-signing Nathan Ake as well in order to address this imbalance, with PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe also said to be a target.
Possible Chelsea line-ups for 2022-23
- 3-4-2-1 – Mendy; Silva, Koulibaly, Ake; James, Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Sterling; Havertz
- 3-4-1-2 – Mendy; Silva, Koulibaly, Ake; James, Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount; Sterling, Havertz
- 4-3-3 – Mendy; James, Silva, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Kante, Kovacic, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Pulisic
- 4-1-4-1 – Mendy; James, Silva, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Kante; Pulisic, Kovacic, Mount, Sterling; Havertz
And with Cesar Azpilicueta also wanting out despite triggering a one-year extension earlier this year, Tuchel admitted this defensive overhaul is now the priority after bringing in Sterling.
“I would not rule it out [signing another striker] but right now it is not the priority. The priority right now is defence, it’s not a secret. From there we need to see what’s possible,” added Tuchel.
“We’re competing against the two top teams [Manchester City and Liverpool] but Tottenham did a very active and aggressive and early transfer period, they have maybe the strongest squad they have ever had with one of the best coaches in the world.
“Manchester United are never shy of recruiting with a new coach and Arsenal had some big signings already so we need to keep the level up to be competitive.”
Should Chelsea operate with three in defence, Koulibaly will likely be joined by Thiago Silva and Ake, although Kimpembe could oust Ake if he also arrives.
Koulibaly and Silva would arguably be the favoured pairing if Tuchel operated with two central defenders, but with plenty of time before the transfer window closes, Boehly may yet spring a surprise or two that leads to further changes to our predicted line-ups.
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