Chelsea plot £25m move for 20-year-old starlet as wait for signings goes on

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It’s been a frustrating summer for Chelsea fans thus far, as after missing out on Champions League football, they’ve yet to see any reinforcements arrive.

Antonio Conte’s side did end last season on a high with their triumph in the FA Cup final against Man Utd, but after finishing fifth in the Premier League, they would undoubtedly have hoped for new faces to strengthen the squad.

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As noted by ESPN, no signings have yet been made this summer as Antonio Conte and his players began returning for pre-season training this week, and with the new campaign fast approaching, that can’t be an ideal situation for anyone connected with the club.

However, that could change as The Express report that Chelsea are plotting a move for £25m-rated defender Filip Benkovic to bolster their backline.

The 20-year-old made 30 appearances for Dinamo Zagreb last season as he has established himself as a regular fixture in the line-up over the past three seasons for the Croatian giants having initially come through the youth ranks.

Chelsea do seemingly have plenty of options in the central defensive positions though in Antonio Rudiger, Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz, and so with that in mind, it has to be questioned as to whether they could possibly spend that £25m more wisely.

Nevertheless, until the uncertainty over the coaching situation is cleared up, with the ESPN report above noting that Conte still faces question marks with Maurizio Sarri linked with his job, it would seem logical from Chelsea’s perspective to wait.

Without knowing for certain who their coach will be next season, they can’t sign players who won’t fit into the other coach’s ideas and plans and so perhaps any potentially move for Benkovic will have to be put on hold.

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