Chelsea are on their way to make headlines during the summer transfer window. Reports indicate that the club is preparing a £70m bid for Crystal Palace sensation Eberechi Eze. The England international has become one of the Premier League‘s most sought-after players after his incredible 2024/25 campaign. Clubs now view him as the focal point of a transfer tussle.
According to reports, Chelsea and Manchester City are both keeping an eye on the 25-year-old attacking midfielder. Eze scored the winning goal in Crystal Palace’s record-breaking FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City. Big clubs are currently watching him, and Chelsea reportedly plans to trigger his release clause.
Crystal Palace has stated they will not negotiate unless a club fulfills Eze’s £70 million clause. Chelsea seem willing to pay it as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of a return to European competition. Eze has been one of the Premier League’s brightest stars so far this season. He scored 13 goals and gave 11 assists in all competitions. His winning performance in the FA Cup final — providing Palace their very first top-flight honor — only helped build his reputation.
Playing mostly as a No. 10, Eze’s creativity, vision, and flair have made him a thorn in the flesh of opposition defences. His capacity to beat players with ease, create scoring opportunities and score goals from midfield has made him one of the most exciting young players in the country.
Midfield Puzzle at Chelsea
The possibility of signing Eze, though, does highlight Chelsea’s tactical alignment. The Blues already have one of the Premier League’s most lethal attacking midfielders in Cole Palmer, who has had a breakout season in the No. 10 position since joining from Manchester City.
Since both players prefer playing in the same positions, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca would have to devise a method of fitting them into the same starting lineup. Perhaps Chelsea view Eze as a winger. He can play on the wing, especially with the statuses of Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and even Jadon Sancho (who has been loosely mentioned as a transfer possibility for Stamford Bridge) uncertain.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Eze might also indicate a change of transfer strategy. The Blues have come in for severe criticism in recent windows for prioritizing youth, untested players too much. A move for Eze — a proven Premier League player and now a trophy winner — indicates that the Blues might be looking to sign players with a more instant effect.
With their club battling to qualify for the Champions League on the last day of the campaign, a top-four place would heavily enhance their chances of signing players of Eze’s quality. Chelsea have to beat Nottingham Forest in their last league game to ensure that prized European position.
Competition From Manchester City
Manchester City are also keen on Eze, and Pep Guardiola has been known to be a big fan of the Palace midfielder’s talent. But City have such a strong midfield that it might stifle a player like Eze, giving Chelsea an advantage if the player wants to start week in, week out in a big role.
While Eze has a £70 million release clause in place, it now becomes a question of which club is first willing to make it — and how artfully they can persuade on project and game time. Chelsea seem primed to be the first out of the blocks, looking to stave off the protracted negotiations that have marred windows past.
If Eze were to make the move to Stamford Bridge, he would come in as a marquee signing — a player who can rekindle Chelsea’s attacking flame and propel the Blues back to the top of English and European football.
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