Chelsea news: Opinion – ‘A quiet summer’ for transfers

After years of major turnover in every summer at Chelsea, this should be a relatively quiet one at last.

Enzo Maresca will be the first manager to stay in place for a second year for the first time since Thomas Tuchel (who himself only had one full season in charge). There will be some alterations to the playing staff, but they will be tweaks rather than wholesale changes.

Liam Delap will add depth up front, while a central defender and a right-footed left winger are likely to be the most notable first-team additions. Cover at left-back would also be very handy.

The fact Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez have already been signed to arrive this summer means there will be a major upgrade in terms of depth, even before any new names are added to the list.

There will be departures to make room for the new arrivals – and the likes of Raheem Sterling, who has been out of sight and out of mind, will once again have to try to find a permanent new home.

The addition of Sarr and potentially another, more senior central defender, will mean there are guaranteed to be several sales at the back too.

With all that considered, the changes most fans would like to see would be around the style of play.

As the young group increase in age and experience, and as Maresca gets into his second season in charge, the expectations and demands for Chelsea’s performances will increase. Their results against the top teams also need to be improved next season.

So while it is going to be a quiet summer by Chelsea’s standards, there is a lot going on, starting with the Club World Cup in just a couple of weeks.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News