If Chelsea Were to Be Relegated, Who Could LFC Target?
The scandal-related talk of the Premier League is no longer reserved just for VAR this season, which had started to monopolize the agendas of sports writing throughout the country. The calamitous enterprise and failure of the refereeing system continue to stagger. However, recent events have given respite to a group of officials consistently failing since the inception of the much-maligned initiative. It was the recent 10-point deduction handed down to hapless Everton after their single Premier League charge led to an independent panel determining the outcome.
In all likelihood, that relegation-threatening sanction will be reduced slightly, yet it still opens a whole new line of questioning for other fan groups. The fraternity of sports pundits and journalists had spent nearly a year skirting away from the 115 charges levelled against Manchester City, given the ramifications that may follow. The staggering number of charges was delivered back in February of this year, with the period since being taken to decide how best to serve punishment. This most recent media frenzy has ignited debate and created a very genuine scenario that could see multiple relegations ensue, given the severity of the accusations. I wrote a piece earlier in the week, where I looked at which Etihad players may become available (if relegation became reality) and thus alert Liverpool to potential targets.
💥🚨 Man City and Chelsea have been warned they could soon face a cataclysmic points deduction that would make Everton's punishment seem tame….
Premier League relegation cannot be ruled out ‼️ #MCFC #CFC https://t.co/N0AXOWOu8P
— TEAMtalk (@TEAMtalk) November 27, 2023
In the days after the news of Everton (and then City) surfaced, Chelsea typically found themselves drawn into the murky depths, as their own outrageous spending (for more than twenty years) may have also caught up to them. There is a real notion that to realign a footballing division teetering on the verge of disarray, the authorities have finally decided to draw the line and deliver the kind of sanctions that many have always assumed impossible.
The likes of Ivan Toney and Everton appear to be the build-up to stern justice (with their respective woes), that will elevate exponentially once Manchester City and Chelsea come to the fore. With that, I will now look at which Stamford Bridge assets could become attainable for the Anfield club, in a future where punishment, fines, transfer bans, and relegation, force the West London club into a fire sale. I shall be listing my personal interests in descending order.
1 – Moisés Caicedo
Age – 22-years-old (DOB – 02/11/2002)
Nationality – Ecuadorian
Playing Positions – CDM / CM / RB
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2031
Transfermarkt Value – €90m
Verdict – Despite the horror show and dissatisfaction at losing out on the destroyer in the summer, I would still absolutely love to see the Ecuadorian holding midfielder as a red. Any fee would be half of what Chelsea paid Brighton, which would make it a no-brainer.
2 – Levi Colwill
Age – 20-years-old (DOB – 26/02/2003)
Nationality – English
Playing Positions – LCB / LB / RCB
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2029
Transfermarkt Value – €42m
Verdict – Much like with Moisés Caicedo, I would look at the deal ahead of any pride-driven thoughts. Levi Colwill may well become a sensational footballer; therefore, I would not hesitate to bring the cultured defender to Liverpool, the club he supports.
3 – Christopher Nkunku
Age – 26-years-old (DOB – 14/11/1997)
Nationality – French
Playing Positions – RW / LW / CF / ACM / CM
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2029
Transfermarkt Value – €80m
Verdict – The former RB Leipzig forward was once linked with a move to the Merseyside giants, due to the quality of his play. This should remain the case if his name were to re-enter the market.
4 – Enzo Fernández
Age – 22-years-old (DOB – 17/01/2001)
Nationality – Argentinian
Playing Positions – CDM / CM
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2031
Transfermarkt Value – €80m
Verdict – A wonderfully gifted controller who partnered Alexis Mac Allister for Argentina, as they won the most recent World Cup. To reunite them under Jürgen Klopp could prove masterful.
5 – Roméo Lavia
Age – 19-years-old (DOB – 06/01/2004)
Nationality – Belgian
Playing Positions – CDM / CM
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2030
Transfermarkt Value – €50m
Verdict – A young man who was underappreciated by Liverpool, as they hesitated in their pursuit, which means any return bid would be more than welcomed by me. A beautiful footballer who may be wasted at the Bridge.
6 – Cole Palmer
Age – 21-years-old (DOB – 06/05/2002)
Nationality – English
Playing Positions – LW / RW / ACM
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2030
Transfermarkt Value – €33m
Verdict – Even though he has only just arrived, the impact and quality are clear. This kind of signing would be a fine Liverpool 2.0 addition.
7 – Carney Chukwuemeka
Age – 20-years-old (DOB – 20/10/2003)
Nationality – English
Playing Positions – CM / ACM
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2028
Transfermarkt Value – €15m
Verdict – An ultra-talented player who would excel under the German manager at Liverpool.
8 – Trevoh Chalobah
Age – 24-years-old (DOB – 05/07/1999)
Nationality – English
Playing Positions – CDM / CM / RCB / RB / LCB
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2028
Transfermarkt Value – €18m
Verdict – This would be a very smart signing, one that would tick many boxes, including the precious homegrown one.
9 – Ian Maatsen
Age – 21-years-old (DOB – 10/03/2002)
Nationality – Dutch
Playing Positions – LB / LM
Contract Expiry – 30 June 2025
Transfermarkt Value – €20m
Verdict – This would be a good long-term option on the left.
Relegation from the Premier League is possible but not probable for #Chelsea and Manchester City, according to finance expert Kieran Maguire, while both clubs could easily end up with a 30-point deduction.
— Chels HQ (@Chels_HQ) November 27, 2023
In terms of whether this is at all possible, we will all have to wait and see what comes next.
