How Chelsea could line up next season with EIGHT new players breaking into team as they eye even more transfers

MORE than HALF A BILLION pounds has been spent on players by new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.

The American took over from Roman Abramovich in May last year and has wasted little time making a huge impact on the transfer market.

Enzo Fernandez broke the British transfer record by joining the Blues for £107m on deadline day.

He became Chelsea’s EIGHTH arrival in the January window alone, following the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix to Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez, Mudryk and Badiashile will all expect to be mainstays in Graham Potter’s team for the foreseeable future.

And Felix could well join them in Chelsea’s XI next season if his loan move is made permanent.

If that is to be the case, the club will almost certainly have an entirely new front three come the start of the 2023/24 campaign compared with the one they fielded at the end of 2022.

That’s because RB Leipzig and France star Christopher Nkunku has reportedly signed to join Chelsea for £53m in the summer.

He could be tasked with leading the line, flanked by Mudryk and Felix.

Fernandez will slot in behind them in midfield.

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And he may be joined by summer targets Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.

West Ham skipper Rice, 24, and Brighton star Caicedo, 21, have both been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal.

But Boehly has shown he is not afraid to splash the cash and could beat the Gunners to the punch.

That would mean a front SIX consisting entirely of players signed in 2023.

But in defence there is more chance of stability, with full-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James expected to keep their places.

Keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is another set to remain first choice, with Thiago Silva providing the team with an experienced head alongside new boy Badiashile.

Despite all the money they have spent, Chelsea are in danger of failing to qualify for Europe.

They are 10th in the Premier League table, but do still have a chance of winning the Champions League as they prepare for a last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk