Chelsea are tracking Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez closely following a summer bid that failed, and Fabrizio Romano says Blues still have him on a shortlist for future windows.
Chelsea’s summer revamp and Lopez pursuit
It was a busy one for the Blues who brought in six new faces, five of them attackers as they restructured under head coach Enzo Maresca. Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Buonanotte all arrived to be more direct in attack, with Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix left in a major attacking makeover.
Even with this newfound influx of attacking talent, Chelsea failed to get some of their major creative targets. Xavi Simons moved to Tottenham, while Fermin Lopez remained committed to Barcelona. Having lost out on Simons, Chelsea moved for Lopez, viewing him as a perfect signing for Maresca’s dynamic system and someone who can fit in perfectly into their tactical setup.
Chelsea were turned down for the 22-year-old and had their offer rejected, according to reports, with Maresca believed to have contacted the player more than once as he hoped for a deal. But Lopez, who is an international from Spain, indicated clearly that he was content in Barcelona and did not want to move out of the Camp Nou.
Discussing on the situation, Fabrizio Romano provided the latest update on Chelsea’s position. “Fermin Lopez stays and will stay on Chelsea’s next years’ target list in case he ever leaves,” Romano explained on his YouTube channel.
Lopez has had an impressive start to the season at Barcelona, scoring two goals in five matches in all competitions and is contracted to the club until 2029. And his displays have only entrenched himself within Xavi Hernandez’s long-term plans – adding another layer of difficulty for Chelsea to prise him away anytime soon. The club continues to assess his performances weekly, tracking progress across all competitions.
Chelsea still well stocked in attack
Without Lopez, Chelsea’s attacking resources are by no means thin. The team already has a combination of youth potential and know-how, and Maresca has demonstrated he is not afraid to rotate extensively on form and fitness grounds. Garnacho and Buonanotte have further injected speed and creativity into the wings, and Joao Pedro and Delap offer alternative profiles in the central attacking position.
In the meantime, Chelsea have already completed a deal for Emanuel Emegha to join Strasbourg next summer. The Dutch forward is likely to come in and fill the void left by Nicolas Jackson, who moved on this summer. Additionally, Geovany Quenda will also join the club as another exciting winger prospect with impressive dribbling ability and vision in the final third.
But new arrival attackers might compel Chelsea to sell more players in order to achieve balance in the team. Four wingers already occupying slots would mean one must go to accommodate Quenda. Squad management will be key to ensure harmony and consistent performance throughout the season.
Author’s View
Chelsea’s on-going admiration for Fermin Lopez highlights the club’s long-term recruitment policy — bringing in young, technically skilled players who can excel under Maresca’s possession-based approach. Although the signing of Lopez now looks unlikely owing to his current commitment to Barcelona, football’s dynamics are fast-changing.
If Chelsea’s project takes off and Lopez ever looks for a new challenge, the Blues are obviously ready to move once more. For the time being, though, the Spaniard is a dream target more than a genuine signing. Chelsea’s attacking options mean that they are not panicking, but their steadfastness shows that Maresca and his recruitment team are always prepared for the next availability and evolution of the side in seasons to come.
