Chelsea owner Todd Boehly believes the Blues should have signed Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni instead of Saul Niguez last season, as per Sport.
The west Londoners secured the signing of Saul from Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan last summer but the Spaniard's spell was unconvincing.
The midfielder managed 23 appearances with one goal to his name and has returned to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Boehly is said to have been left baffled by the decision to sign the Atleti man ahead of then-AS Monaco midfielder Tchouameni.
A deal was struck for Saul due to reservations from former sporting director Marina Granovskaia over the signing of Tchouameni.
She was of the opinion that the French youngster would not be a first-team player at Stamford Bridge under Thomas Tuchel.
Tchouameni has flourished for Real Madrid since arriving from Monaco this summer for £72 million. He has made eight appearances, contributing two assists.
The midfield situation at Stamford Bridge is one of interest with the futures of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho uncertain.
Both players' contracts expire at the end of the season and they have been linked with moves abroad.
Kante is a reportedly a Paris Saint-Germain target and the Ligue 1 giants have plans to sign him as a free agent next summer.
Meanwhile, Jorginho could be headed for a return to Serie A with Juventus reportedly potential suitors.
Chelsea sign another stop-gap midfielder in Denis Zakaria
Chelsea have signed another midfielder on loan this summer in Juventus' Zakaria.
The Swiss international had endured a difficult time at the Allianz Stadium following a £7.74 million move from Borussia Monchengladbach in January.
He made 15 appearances for Juve, scoring one goal and contributing an assist.
Zakaria appeared to not feature in Massimiliano Allegri's plans and as a result was allowed to join the Blues.
However, his loan move holds similarities to that of Saul's signing last season.
That is not to say that Zakaria won't have success at Stamford Bridge but his arrival certainly appears to have been a panic buy.
The transfer occurred on deadline day with a number of midfield targets having been turned away including Ajax's Edson Alvarez.
A long-term solution to Chelsea's midfield dilemma has yet to be found and the loan signings keep on coming in the middle of the park.
Zakaria's deal does include a £30 million buy option so if the Swiss midfielder impresses then Graham Potter's side may be favoring a permanent switch.
Baresi10
0
so he's the first person to own a club? so other clubs were owned by Animals or what?
Man everyone has its own way of ruling his or her business. This is his style. You guys stick with it. Or you leave the fan base bro.
olosco50
0
He is the owner of the club. And that club is his investment. Only normal for him to address issues.
so he's the first person to own a club? so other clubs were owned by Animals or what?
Alfatah
0
It was a big mistake for Chelsea to overlook the signing of Tchouameni from AS Monaco even I could remember then fabrigas also recommend this guy for Chelsea that his going to make great presents and future at Chelsea but for Chelsea to over look
Cukcdnostu
0
true.
Baresi10
0
this dude talks too much. hardly you see Abramovic come online talking like 🦜
He is the owner of the club. And that club is his investment. Only normal for him to address issues.
CraigJack
3
How many times does AF want us to read about this? Can we move on now please? The same story put forth with different language but saying the exact same thing, it becomes boring!!
Dennisdarko
2
They all saw the performance of this guy and they like why Chelsea didn’t sign this guy? If he was now adapting and was not playing well , they’ll be like is better we didn’t sign him.
kruz8080
4
here we goToo late Todd
olosco50
4
this dude talks too much. hardly you see Abramovic come online talking like 🦜
18597076(deleted)
0
Boehly just discovered hindsight.
rihbmnu
0
u just need to link up with the genius ancellotti and see how best u bith can sougt out chelsea issue. ancellotti help lampard with chelsea decision
Miockmnt
3
boehly should appoint himself as chief coach, scout, transfer manager of Chelsea 🤣🤭🤪😜
MadridMaldives
0
It's not too late, you may still approach Real Madrid to buy the player in question. The ball now is in your court, dont go back and lament what someone didn't do for Chelsea and can sign the player now
It’s very late. Madrid don’t sell players because someone wants but only if and when the club wants. If anyone thinks Madrid is going to sell Tchouameni, he doesn’t know Florentino Perez. If Chelsea can afford thy may pay his release clause of €700m.
bohabdeopz
0
It's not too late, you may still approach Real Madrid to buy the player in question. The ball now is in your court, dont go back and lament what someone didn't do for Chelsea and can sign the player now
MadridMaldives
3
It’s a new era for Real Madrid with KTM. 🔥🔥🔥