Chelsea's dream starting XI next season if transfer rumours prove true as Liam Delap deal nears

Chelsea are now turning their attention to transfer ahead of the special 10-day transfer window opening on June 1. The window will provide clubs the chance to add to their squads early ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup kicking off in the United States, a competition Chelsea will be a part of.

Fresh from their Champions League qualification and Europa Conference League win, the Blues will be looking to add some quality to their ranks to set up a big Premier League campaign of next. Here we take a look at what the starting XI could look like next season based on recent rumours.

GK - Robert Sanchez

Chelsea could probably do with a new starting goalkeeper, but given their other needs, it might be a position that has to wait, meaning Sanchez winds up keeping his place.

LB - Marc Cucurella

Cucurella has been a man reborn in the last 18 years and he will remain a starter going forward. The Spaniard has been a reliable force on the left side of the Blues back line.

CB - Levi Colwill

Colwill is Chelsea’s best option at centre-back and that won’t change, even with the arrival of a new centre-back as expected. The Blues have a star in Colwill and they know it.

CB - Mario Gila

Chelsea need to add a new centre-back for competition, while they are likely to keep Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo. Benoit Badiashile looks as though he will be the player who pays the price. With Dean Huijsen off the table, Chelsea are said to be showing interest in Lazio’s impressive centre-back Gila, a former Real Madrid starlet who is quickly building an impressive reputation. Whether he can beat out Chalobah after the second half of this season is another question.

RB - Reece James

James has shown he can keep fit over recent months and Maresca has been quick to turn to him even when Malo Gusto has won the battle to start. James should be the primary option going into next season.

CM - Enzo Fernandez

A guaranteed starter, Fernandez looks as though he is getting better and better. Maresca will heavily rely on Fernandez in his midfield, but he will also be using plenty of Romero Lavia.

CM - Moises Caicedo

Another of the first names on the team sheet, Caicedo’s ceiling looks to be at N’Golo Kante level. The midfielder continues to improve and he is on his way to becoming one of the best in the world in his position.

CAM - Cole Palmer

Palmer is another who is a guaranteed starter in most scenarios. The attacking midfielder has been one of the most important players this season and will likely remain so next term.

LW - Nico Williams

The most recent reports suggest Chelsea will save some money in their striker signing, and that could mean they go big to land an elite winger. Nico Williams is the best available, and if he arrives from Athletic Club, he will be a near enough guaranteed starter.

RW - Pedro Neto

The battle on the other side will be less clear. Neto will battle Noni Madueke for a starting spot, and the former is likely in a better position to start as things stand.

CF - Nicolas Jackson

A number of strikers have been linked with Chelsea, but the latest report from Sky Sports suggests the Blues are getting closer to agreeing a deal with Ipswich Town for Delap. It’s reported that the Blues will pay just £30million, and it remains to be seen whether they will add another striker to their haul. Delap could start next season, but Nicolas Jackson is surely ahead of him in the race to start.

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