With or without Erling Haaland, Chelsea can be serious title challengers next season, Andros Townsend has declared.
As the big game preys loom in the crosshairs of the snipers this summer transfer seaso, it is open knowledge that the Blues are long in the hunt for a top-notch new striker that will fit the bill in their continued quest for domestic glory and more top European honors after successfully lifting the Champions League trophy this season and Norwegian wunderkind Erling Braut Haaland is at the top of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s wish list.
Haaland would be the crème-de-la-crème signing of the summer if Chelsea can get this expeditiously wrapped up somehow. Reports have suggested that the Russian owner is unperturbed and willing to sanction a £150million move to sign the Borussia Dortmund sensation.
The Bundesliga club are only willing to consider offers in that region as Haaland’s release clause next summer is only £67m, which would be a steal for his immense skills and talent.
All the same, Townsend confidently reckons the Blues could be a force to be reckoned with for the top-flight crown even without the sizzling Dortmund talisman next term.
Asked whether the European champions could compete with the likes of Man City, he told talkSPORT: “I think they’re proper title contenders anyway. We’ve seen since Thomas Tuchel came in how much they’ve bridged the gap to Man City.
“They won the Champions League and beat Man City twice. Once in the league and in the Cup.
“They’re title contenders with or without Haaland anyway.
“I am a bit sceptical about the Haaland one, though, as he has a release clause next season.
“Because he’s so young, is he worth paying double that fee now?”
The Norwegian thunderbolt launched his blitzkrieg last season and netted a staggering 41 goals in 41 games in all competitions for Dortmund last season and is already one of the top strikers in the world.
However, Dortmund’s incoming sporting director Sebastian Kehl has insisted the club have no intention of selling Haaland.
Talking to Sky Germany, Kehl said: “There is nothing new on this matter. He is in our plans.
“Erling will return this week and he will be very hungry. Haaland is the hottest property in world football.
“He wants to play football, he feels comfortable with us and he will be eager to score many goals.”
Speaking to German outlet Bild, Michael Zorc, who is currently Dortmund’s sporting director, said: “Nothing has changed.
“We plan with Erling for the new season.”