The new signing of Chelsea Joao Pedro shone when they booked their place in the World Cup -Final club -but the club is confronted with ten major decisions that will be the appearance of the attack around him for the new Premier League season.
Pedro scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Fluminense when he started with Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Christopher Nunku – but the future of Chelsea's forward line remains far from regulated.
Sources have indicated a serious doubt about the future of seven current attackers, all of whom are ready for Crunch transfer interviews once the tournament has been concluded.
Nunku is probably still a controversial exit, with Bayern Munich the newest club that regards him as a target. Injury to star player Jamal Musiala has led Nunku to be thrown to Bayern officials as a ready-made replacement.
NUKKU's Club World Cup Radaropta by StatsPerform
Raheem Sterling is also for sale, but as it looks now, no serious interest has come true. Intermediaries are working to find serious options for the player at the beginning of August.
Chelsea assesses an offer for Noni Madueke, where Arsenal insists to close a deal.
In the meantime, Joao Felix will continue – with Benfica as a possible destination.
The future of Nicolas Jackson is uncertain and will depend on his willingness to compete for a starting point under Enzo Maresca, while the situation of Mykhailo Mudryk remains in Limbo – although for various reasons because of his ban.
Young people Marc Guiu and Tyrique George are both expected to leave loan, but will soon have conversations about their options.
In addition to expenses, two new signing sessions are being investigated.
There is a strong chance that Chelsea will move to Mohammed Kudus once the club World Cup is closed. West Ham tries to keep the offers from Spurs up to that time, in the hope that they can increase his price.
They are also ready to explore bids for one of Morgan Rogers, Malick Fofana or Alejandro Garnacho – if they decide to fully support their new manager. Rogers will prove to be extremely difficult to come from Aston Villa, but talks to Lyon about Fofana and Man United about Garnacho are not yet excluded.
Maresca has made it clear internally, he wants a rotation of eight attackers – which means that the decisions about the current margin players are crucial.
As it looks now, Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro are considered safe as part of the attacking unity of Chelsea on the way to the new campaign.
Chelsea is a step of silverware and a large payment day – but squadron surgery is paramount before Maresca's side is really ready for the following season.