Neymar, Robert Lewandowski and Eriksen: Todd Boehly handed Chelsea’s fantasy transfer window – Daniel Childs

Silly season has begun, and we have only begun to get through the mountain of names that will be linked with Thomas Tuchel’s tricky Blues this summer.

The consortium led by Todd Boehly are expected to invest significantly during their first transfer window owning the club, with hopes already some of the desired targets could be close to signing.

But to shake things up, we wanted to get the unfiltered views of Chelsea fans over who they dream of seeing get that flashy announcement video over the off-season. Who will be hailed as the saviour? Who will have their flight weirdly tracked through the night? Who will be added to Chelsea’s list of failed strikers?

READ MORE: Todd Boehly era, dream signings, Liverpool and Man City challenge – Chelsea end of season survey

For this, we created no boundaries. Rather than being boring and sticking with reality, budget constraints or the likelihood a big club like Chelsea stay within a bracket of certain targets, we wanted to hear fantasy signings that could be deemed as a marquee arrival or as hidden gems.

Let’s go through what Chelsea fans thought as Todd Boehly is handed an unrealistic summer wishlist.

@FLWN_: Neymar and Lionel Messi

Part of the football.London Chelsea team, Anita Abayomi hasn’t hidden her desire to see Neymar ditch PSG for the Bridge. Both feel like peak–FIFA Career Mode signings when you choose financial takeover even with an already rich club.

Thomas Tuchel liked Neymar, apparently, so the thought of this isn’t too far fetched. Of course, if you forget about the nearly £1m in wages, you probably have to pay.

@tabuteauS: Michael Olise is the sort of player I’d love to see fulfil his potential at Chelsea.

Olise’s performances at Crystal Palace have been a fun watch, looking like the sort of daring winger Thomas Tuchel actually lacks, and given his age, could develop into a player worth double in the coming years. It would look like a wise investment for a player that would certainly excite supporters.

@llewodmas: I would be fascinated with Lewandowski. I know he’s getting up there, but he’s still elite.

Given recent links and the potential of Barcelona’s financial struggles, a door could open should Romelu Lukaku depart. Lewandowski is certainly one of Europe’s greatest ever goalscorers, and he and Karim Benzema don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Could he end the striker curse?

@PatronChelsea: Darth Vader

It would hopefully provide the force Tuchel’s attack has lacked. What are his pressing numbers, though?

@owen_bush80: Am I the only person who would love to see the club send Kepa anywhere and replace him with Nick Pope?

I don’t think so. Nick Pope has proved to be a reliable Premier League goalkeeper, and the success of Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal and Jordan Pickford with England proves that being relegated does not mean you should be dismissed.

Burnley’s relegation and the prospect of Kepa departing, Pope would offer a very competent backup option.

@NWPersonal: Sam Kerr as the new starting striker for the Premier League team.

Chelsea Women’s and PFA player of the season, Sam Kerr, truly is one of the best strikers in the sport. Being privileged enough to witness her two volleys against Manchester United to seal the title was a special moment. Maybe Timo can learn a few things.

@RJ_GoodThings: I’ll say: Guehi, Tomori, Lamptey and Abraham – only if we had them at our club beforehand.

What a talented bunch of youngsters. Versatile, mature and already providing great value. The club that let them go must be feeling really silly right now.

@ThatChelseaPod: Eriksen, if we could pick up on a free, be good business.

We got several shouts for Christian Eriksen, particularly in reference to the lack of creativity from central midfield, which has been a real problem since the exit of Cesc Fabregas in 2019.

Eriksen’s return to action was one of the great stories of 2021/22, he clearly is a player still impactful at Premier League level, as Chelsea found out back in April. He would certainly offer a very different option to Tuchel’s toolbox and maybe help find the passes Chelsea so regularly fail to make.

@rideongideon: Bernardo Silva

Another talented attacker Manchester City invested on at the right time and is one of many attackers who help that system flow for Pep Guardiola. I instinctively assumed last season was not a great one for him, but a quick glance at eight league goals matches both Romelu Lukaku and Kai Havertz, which probably speaks more to Tuchel’s current headache.