As previously planned by Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, the club have made no deadline day signings in the January transfer window. Learning from a previous mistake, the club have been successful in avoiding a potential hasty signing of forward Ousmane Dembele.
Earlier this month, FC Barcelona announced that they were ready to let go of Dembele in the transfer window. The player was asked to look for another destination before the deadline day, as the club were preparing a contract termination.
While the Frenchman was demanding a contract extension and an unreasonable €40m wage, the Spanish side did not budge. Adding to the issue, the 22-years-old’s agent also publicly attacked manager Xavi after a Copa del Rey game. As a result, the current situation indicates that the Catalan outfit will no longer need the player’s services.
Chelsea emerged as one of the clubs ready to sign Dembele as a deadline day signing
Since Barca’s statements regarding the France international were made public, the player was in contention to sign for another footballing giant. The player was being linked with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League teams Manchester United and Chelsea. The Blues, amongst all, seemed the most favorable destination due to Tuchel and Dembele’s previous relationship at Borussia Dortmund.
However, the London Giants did not rush in for the player and are satisfied with no transfers in the window. Last year’s signing of Saul Niguez has been a lesson to learn for the club with a similar situation. The player continued to remain in contention to join the English side as the club made a final move in the dying minutes of the summer window. The Spaniard’s departure would enable Atletico Madrid to re-sign Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona. While for Chelsea, the move would have aided an injury struck midfield.
A £4m loan deal with an option to sign the Spain international permanently for £30m, later turned out to be a flop. The player has failed to make a significant breakthrough in Tuchel’s team, making only 6 PL appearances as a substitute. (stats via TRANSFERMARKT)
Can a lack of interest for Dembele punish Chelsea in the long run?
The potential-packed £105m signing from Dortmund is yet to make his mark as he is been unlucky with injuries. At Barca, the player is infamous for making great cameos, before contracting any injury. Therefore, the player will always be a risky investment for any club.
On the other hand, Chelsea already have seven attackers – Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Christian Pulisic, and Hakim Ziyech. Hence, the introduction of the Frenchman seems unnecessary at the moment while the club struggles to keep hold of their star defenders.
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