Now that Chelsea’s 2024/25 season has concluded, the transfer speculation appears to be kicking into overdrive.
The Blues are strongly linked with several potential transfer targets ahead of the summer window, especially Ipswich Town centre-forward Liam Delap.
It’s been claimed that Chelsea want to wrap up the Delap signing soon as they prepare to trigger his £30m release clause.
Meanwhile, journalist Simon Phillips reports via Substack that Chelsea and Delap still have to thrash out some details during further talks this week, but the 22-year-old star has made his mind up that he wants a move to Stamford Bridge.
Fresh transfer rumours suggest that Delap isn’t the only English star on Chelsea’s radar, though.
Chelsea make approach for Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton centre-half Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, is another talented English youngster linked with the Blues.
Simon Phillips reports via his Substack on Thursday that Chelsea have approached Branthwaite’s representatives again this week to enquire about a potential move. Apparently, this initial contact with the Toffees defender could lead to more.
Back in February, Chelsea looked at Branthwaite as a potential target to focus on once the season finishes.
Now that Enzo Maresca’s side have ramped up interest in the young centre-back, it will be interesting to see how serious they are about securing his services.
If Delap and Branthwaite did end up at Chelsea, it would only add to the strong English core that already exists at Stamford Bridge. This includes the likes of Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James and Levi Colwill.
Pat Nevin suggested Branthwaite for Chelsea earlier in the season as someone that would be a good signing for them, but we’re guessing he wouldn’t come cheap.
In the 2024 summer window, BBC Sport reported that Everton valued Branthwaite at £80m.
Would Jarrad Branthwaite be the right signing for Chelsea?
Without a doubt, Branthwaite is one of the most exciting young centre-halves in the Premier League division. He’s proven in Everton colours during the last two seasons that he can more than hold his own in England’s top division.
Yet again, the 22-year-old rising star has impressed for the Merseyside club in the 2024/25 campaign.
While we definitely feel like Branthwaite has the ability to play for Chelsea already, we do feel like targeting a more experienced centre-back would make more sense.
Ian Wright’s transfer advice to Chelsea is that they are crying out for a profile in the same mould as Thiago Silva to help guide all the youngsters at Stamford Bridge.
