Chelsea to offer player plus cash for Inter Milan star

Chelsea’s Champions League triumph means Thomas Tuchel has laid the perfect foundation for a real dynasty at Stamford Bridge. 

The German’s arrival was generally greeted with scepticism as many believed his predecessor Frank Lampard was unfairly sacked.

However, it is probably safe to say nobody is doubting the former Paris Saint-Germain’s appointment now.

Tuchel’s success is more exciting with the fact many of Chelsea’s star players: Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Reece James and Ben Chilwell are all still very young and will only get better and better.

Any manager who wins the Champions League has to play a difficult game of stick and twist the following season – do you keep the side who made you the best club in Europe, or do you exploit the status as European champions to refresh and energise the squad?

Tuchel is a progressive manager and, according to Italian news outlet La Republica Italiana, Chelsea are reportedly interested in offering Marcos Alonso and £51.5 million for Achraf Hakimi of Inter Milan.

Hakimi starred under Antonio Conte this season.

The Moroccan speed machine can play as a wide midfielder or as a right or left wing back and it is reported Tuchel is very keen on his services.

Towards the end of the season, Reece James was deployed as a right sided centre-back and it is believed the England international’s performances have impressed so much he could be deployed in that role for the foreseeable future.

This would mean a space at wing-back could be available and, while Tuchel played Callum Hudson-Odoi there in the early stages of his tenure, it appears he wants someone more specialised to the position.

Hakimi notched seven goals and 11 assists in Inter’s Serie A winning season, and with Chelsea also overloaded in the left wing back position with Emerson, Chilwell and Alonso, it could be the perfect signing for the West Londoners.