Chelsea see off Barcelona in race for French international Jules Koundé

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Thomas Tuchel will sleep better tonight knowing that a tactical cabinet reshuffle continues to emerge this summer with Chelsea on the cusp of a completed deal for France international defender Jules Conde.

According to reports from The Telegraph’s Matt LawConde will be Chelsea’s third summer deal after big-ticket arrivals from England star Raheem Sterling and Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly.

Conde is set to become Chelsea’s third signing of the summer in a deal that could give Azpilicueta the go-ahead #cfc https://t.co/p0ppITuXHc

– Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) July 22 2022

More importantly, Conde made Stamford Bridge’s defensive adjustment during the transfer window after the Blues lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

£56m for the 23-year-old French player It would take the Blues’ summer spending to £136m across their three major signings, with Conde signing an initial five-year spell in West London.

With Chelsea set to continue in three defences under Tuchel, the need to replace Rudiger and Christensen has been paramount in the club’s transfer plans this summer.

Koulibaly and Conde are likely to line up alongside Brazilian veteran Thiago Silva in the 2022-23 Premier League season, with the club – for the time being – continuing to keep the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr and Ethan Ampadu on their books. One or more can be disposed of and sold before the window closes.

Chelsea are also likely to lose another defender, with Conde’s deal potentially opening the door for Barcelona to secure a deal for veteran Spanish presence Cesar Azpilicueta according to their longstanding interests this summer.

New owner, Todd Boehle, has already made progress in his desire to provide Tuchel with the names and faces potentially needed for Chelsea to push both Manchester City and Liverpool to secure Premier League honors this season as soon as possible, with the Blues still hoping to play. For Dutch international star Frenkie de Jong.

Should Azpilicueta move to Catalonia, the Blues could also play a serious role with Bayern Munich and versatile France international Benjamin Pavard (see more in the links below), who could exit the Allianz Arena with interest from four European giants.

Given the intent shown by the Blues this summer, there could be a third player serious in the Premier League title race this season.

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To learn more about Chelsea, read below

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Benjamin Pavard fought a four-way transfer battle, with Chelsea and Man United

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