GettyChelsea manager Antonio Conte has spent most of the summer trying to sign new defenders to boost his squad, but could be set to let one leave.
And it hasn’t pleased fans, who want to see promising Frenchman Kurt Zouma stay with the club and force his way into the first team.
German side Schalke 04 want the former St. Etienne man on loan for the season, and it looks like it’s close to happening, as the Blues move for Fiorentina defender Marcos Alonso as a replacement.
If we actually loan Zouma out, I'm deleting my account, leaving my job, selling my car, and living the rest of my life walking the earth.
— Ruan (@FootyForThought) August 29, 2016
Zouma is still recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and needs games to rediscover his match sharpness, and could use a loan to prove his recovery has been a success.
Signing left back Alonso would allow Cesar Azpilicueta to move to his favoured right back position, with Branislav Ivanovic moving into the middle of the back four.
The move for the former Sunderland defender comes after Chelsea were priced out of moves for Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly, and AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli.
Surely these Zouma rumours have to be rubbish.Doesn't make sense at any level.And I would prefer Isco to James.Cheaper and better option.
— Lynn Hamer (@evilbluebird) August 29, 2016
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea also held talks with Real Madrid on Friday, to discuss a potential move for James Rodriguez.
Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is willing to let the Colombian go, as he favours 20-year-old Marco Asensio.
But the Spanish giants want to sell the former Monaco midfielder, whereas Chelsea would prefer a loan spell.
GettyConte already has the likes of Willian, Oscar, Cesc Fabregas, Victor Moses, Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to choose from, so signing another attacking midfielder seems kind of unnecessary.
But this is Chelsea, and when did Roman Abramovich ever care about throwing cash around?
