5 Midfielders Chelsea Can Sign As N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic Exits Draw Closer

• N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are understood to be closing in on their Chelsea exits
• With Jorginho having left in January, this will leave the Blues with huge gaps to fill
• Mauricio Pochettino will look to partner new players with new arrival Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea was set to undergo a squad revolution once Mauricio Pochettino took over the reins officially as the club's new head coach.

A dismal season saw them swap managers four times but still finish in the bottom-half of the table, despite heavy investment, showed things had to be done differently.

However, no one really foresaw a significant overhaul that would leave the Blues requiring to build their midfield from scratch.

Jorginho left the club for Arsenal in January, with N'Golo Kante understood to be on his way to oil-rich Saudi Arabia on a free transfer.

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Pochettino's new Chelsea

Mateo Kovačić has also agreed personal terms with Manchester City, with the Croat admitting he is headed for the exit door, as reported by Football London.

His departure will mean that Chelsea's core midfield that won the 2021 Champions League will be no more.

Pochettino's first task will be to get new players to fill in the gaping holes left by the experienced stars.

Enzo Fernandez has been a shining light in Chelsea's poor season since he arrived from Benfica, but he will need help if they are to return to the top of English and European football.

Sports Brief takes a look at who the Todd Boehly-backed club can sign.

1. Declan Rice

Arguably one of the best midfielders in his position. West Ham chairman confirmed that the England international will leave the club this season. Chelsea are among the long line of suitors that includes Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

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However, it will be hard for Chelsea to get the 24-year-old if they can't convince his best friend Mason Mount to stay.

2. Moises Caicedo

The Ecuadorian is among the many talents that Brighton and Hove Albion's scouting department has unravelled. He came close to leaving the club in January, but he was convinced to complete the season.

Arsenal are also interested in him. There is a feeling that the London clubs might have to decide who gets Caicedo and who gets Rice.

3. Romeo Lavia

The young Belgian was one of Southampton's brightest sparks despite their poor season, which culminated in relegation. Lavia will be among the Saints who will exit the club and has been linked with moves to top sides.

4. James Maddison

Maddison is not of a similar profile to the midfielders Chelsea has lost or on this list, given that he is more attack oriented. But the Leicester City man can easily play as an 8 or as a 10 in Pochettino's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.

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5. Youssof Fofana

Liverpool were heavily interested in the French star but given their recent business in acquiring Alexis Mac Allister and agreeing personal terms with Khephrem Thuram, Jurgen Klopp's side might cede ground to allow Chelsea to swoop in.

The layman's understanding is that Chelsea will prefer a defensive midfielder to allow Fernandez to prod forward with his impeccable ball progression into the final third. This thinking ideally makes Lavia, Rice, Fofana and Caicedo prime and feasible targets for the West London side.

At least 7 players to leave Chelsea

Sports Brief previously reported that Chelsea could sell 14 players in the summer as they plan to turn their fortunes around ahead of next season.

The Blues endured an underwhelming 2022/23 campaign, with the west Londoners failing to qualify for European football competitions next season.

Reports now claim that Chelsea executives are plotting a mass exodus in the upcoming transfer window that could see up to 14 players offloaded.