Chelsea is trying to regain its place among the giants of English soccer and this season seems closer to achieving it. After several years of instability and changes on the bench, the London team has found some regularity with Enzo Maresca. The coach has given an identity to the 'blue' team, and with only a few matchdays left in the Premier, they are just one point away from Champions League positions.
A large part of this resurgence is due to the spectacular performance of Cole Palmer. The former Manchester City player has truly exploded this season and has established himself as the team's great star. With his talent, vision, and ability to decide matches, Palmer has been key to keeping Chelsea's European dream alive.
Cole Palmer, Alone in the Attacking Midfield
Palmer is delivering absolute star numbers: 14 goals and 19 assists so far this season, being decisive in almost every matchday. His ability to play between the lines, break defenses with a pass or a dribble, and appear in the box has made the Englishman one of the most desired talents.
However, Chelsea's big problem is the lack of high-level partners for Palmer in the attacking third. Beyond his figure, the team struggles to generate quality offensive play, and the attack relies excessively on his inspiration. In this regard, the squad lacks a replacement for him or another player who can share prominence and responsibility in offensive creation.
They Want a Barça Player and Have Prepared the First Offer
In this regard, according to "El Nacional," Chelsea has already mapped out its roadmap for the next transfer market, and one of the priority objectives is to incorporate an attacking midfielder. Among the most liked names is Fermín López.
The London club would be willing to put up to 40 million on the table to sign him this summer. At Stamford Bridge, they consider that Fermín could be the ideal complement for Cole Palmer and that he would bring dynamism and a lot of presence.
Hansi Flick Counts on Him
Despite Chelsea's interest, Barça is not considering Fermín's departure. Hansi Flick counts on him for the future. The German coach sees in Fermín a very useful profile for his play style and has used him in multiple scenarios this season.
Moreover, Barça already secured his contract in January. Fermín has a contract with the club until 2029, which provides peace of mind to both the management and the coaching staff. Although 40 million could be tempting, it is considered that the player still has room for revaluation and can be important in the new project.