Chelsea have pulled out of a deal to sign former PSG midfielder Renato Sanches on a free transfer, according to reports in France.
The Blues failed to bolster Xabi Alonso’s midfield options on transfer deadline day despite selling Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City. Chelsea were in talks to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco and Manu Kone from Roma as Fernandez closed in on a move to the Etihad Stadium but both deals collapsed.
Midfield concerns
The failure to sign a new midfielder has left Alonso ‘a little bit short’ this season, according to Manchester United legend Gary Neville, with Reece James and Malo Gusto both utilised in that area of the pitch in Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.
Chelsea reportedly expressed interest in signing Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer after the summer window closed but the ex-Liverpool star ended up joining Saudi side Al-Ittihad. According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea also considered a deal for Sanches as cover for the departed Fernandez following his exit from PSG.
Sanches’ career
Sanches, who played in the Premier League for Swansea City back in 2018, is looking for a new club after being released by the Champions League holders. The 29-year-old former Portugal international started his career at Benfica before joining Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in 2016.
Much was expected of Sanches at that stage but he failed to realise his potential, only making 27 appearances for PSG since arriving in the French capital four years ago. Sanches has spent the last few seasons on various loan spells in Italy, Portugal and Greece and would have been keen on a move to Alonso’s Chelsea.
But Stamford Bridge bosses pulled the plug on any possible deal and have decided to put their faith in the current midfield options at Chelsea.
Alonso and Wright react
Asked whether he felt Chelsea were a touch short in the midfield areas after the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, Alonso said: ‘We have several options and we need to find the right balance. We believe we have the quality and competitiveness necessary for the entire season and to face every opponent.’
But Arsenal legend Ian Wright criticised Chelsea’s decision not to sign a new midfielder towards the end of the summer transfer window. Assessing Chelsea’s title aspirations, Wright said on Sky Sports: ‘I think their front three will pose problems for many teams, but it ultimately hinges on the midfield. I truly believe they must have anticipated that Enzo was likely to leave, [Andrey] Santos departed earlier, and they attempted to secure Lamine Camara from Monaco at the last moment.
‘They could have acted sooner, as Enzo was always going to depart. The only problem they will have is the midfield and the problems they may have with a couple of injuries from players in their midfield. In respects of their team and the front guys they’ll be able to beat a lot of teams in the league and once they know exactly what he [Alonso] is doing.’
Chelsea took an early lead against Arsenal through summer signing Morgan Rogers but were pegged back by their former player Kai Havertz. Martin Odegaard then scored a second-half winner to end Chelsea’s perfect start to the season and send Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League.
