Chelsea spot opportunity to bolster Tuchel ranks with surprise swoop for relegated Maxwel Cornet
Chelsea could consider a swoop for relegated Burnley star Maxwel Cornet to cover multiple positions, according to a recent report.
It is going to be an interesting summer at Stamford Bridge. There are several areas of the Chelsea squad that need reinforcing, despite their abundance of existing talent. Further additions would help their hopes of staying in top-four contention after coming third last season.
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is willing to finance a number of deals during the transfer window. Head coach Thomas Tuchel will be hoping for new arrivals at the centre of defence and in attack.
Somewhere else he may want to see an increase of options in would be at wing-back. A lack of depth there was exposed when Ben Chilwell was injured last season.
Therefore, Chelsea could be on the lookout for someone to provide cover. It would be even better if they could identify someone able to help with more than one of their needs.
With that in mind, talkSPORT have suggested they are keeping an eye on Cornet after his Burnley side suffered a drop down to the Championship.
Cornet was a statement signing for Burnley when they bought him from Lyon last summer. He went on to score nine goals from 26 appearances in his debut Premier League season, while also featuring twice (without scoring) in the Carabao Cup.
Over the course of the campaign, Cornet featured either as a centre-forward or left-sided midfielder. Therefore, at Chelsea, he could be able to cover for Chilwell, or play in the final third.
talkSPORT remind that a relegation clause in Cornet’s contract with Burnley means he is available for £17.5million this summer. Such a sum would seemingly be within Chelsea’s budget, depending on how they allocate funds for their other needs.
The 25-year-old reportedly appeals to Tuchel, so time will tell if Chelsea make a move.
Maxwel Cornet to Chelsea would be interesting
It is fair to say that Cornet is capable of playing for a bigger club than Burnley – and indeed, already has with Lyon.
A player of Champions League pedigree, Cornet could step back up to that level with Chelsea.
It would not be a well-trodden route, but given his versatility and availability, it may be worth him taking it.
Ultimately, Chelsea must decide where they most need help as they plot up to six signings. It may have seemed slightly unusual at first, but perhaps Cornet could be one of them.