Chelsea were in talks to sign £27m star, now he’s suffered an ACL injury at new club
Chelsea’s depth is enormous, but there are still a few holes that Xabi Alonso could do with filling, and a back-up option in the no.10 role is certainly one of those.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers are currently Chelsea’s options in the 10 role, but Alonso has combined both to start at the same time behind Joao Pedro. It is one of the best front threes in the Premier League.
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But if Palmer or Rogers gets an injury, Chelsea look suddenly light in attacking midfield. Especially if the Blues do end up selling Enzo Fernandez to Man City. A young, up-and-coming no.10 would be perfect.
It is a position Chelsea have considered this summer. Plenty of options have been suggested as targets for the Blues over the last few weeks, and one of those was Greece international Giannis Konstantelias.
Chelsea wanted Giannis Konstantelias, but he chose Dortmund
Konstantelias, 23, was a target for the Blues this summer, according to Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio. Indeed, Juventus were also interested alongside Dortmund, but Juventus signed Karim Alajbegovic.
Another player who was on Chelsea’s radar. Eventually, Dortmund did a £27m deal with Greek side PAOK for the signing of the playmaker. A bargain, given the player’s potential and form while in Greece.
Konstantelias suffers an ACL injury weeks after joining Dortmund
He made a great start at Dortmund, too. Starting in Dortmund’s first Bundesliga game of the season, Konstantelias scored as Dortmund went on to win 2-0. But after 54 minutes, he was substituted, injured.
Now, Dortmund have confirmed that their new big-money signing has suffered an ACL injury and the chances are, he won’t be seen again until the end of the season. A massive blow for Konstantelias.
Who can deputise in the 10 role behind Palmer and Rogers?
While Chelsea lack attacking midfielders, they do boast a plethora of different wingers that could be moved inside. Of course, if Fernandez stays, then instantly it makes things look slightly less bleak.
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But without Fernandez, and given that Lamine Camara looks his likeliest replacement, Chelsea lack genuine attacking midfielders. Estevao can play inside, but he is better out wide, like Jamie Gittens.
The same goes for Pedro Neto. If Chelsea are going to make a signing or two before the end of the window, an attacking midfielder might make just as much sense as signing Senegal star Camara.
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