Chelsea could monitor one attacker’s situation at his current club this summer.
However, Chelsea may have to sacrifice Raheem Sterling if they want to bring him in.
Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk are currently the Blues’ main two options for the left-wing position.
On the other flank, it is Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke, though that could change in the 2024/25 season.
The Blues are being heavily linked with Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, whose best position is on the right.
Chelsea lurking in the background
While Chelsea look to be prioritising strengthening the right side of their attack amid the Olise links, it is not impossible that they eventually turn their attention to the other flank.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, they could monitor Khvicha Kvaratskhelia‘s situation at Napoli.
However, Jacobs has also suggested that Sterling would have to go in order for Kvaratskhelia to come in in a deal that could be worth around €100m (£84.4m).
In his column for Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, he wrote: “Chelsea could keep an eye on the Khvicha Kvaratskhelia situation. Napoli insist he is not for sale, and even released a strong statement on Sunday night emphasising this, but his agent and father have both suggested otherwise.
“PSG are the club really pushing, so Chelsea fans shouldn’t get too excited yet. It’s a €100m+ outlay and as a left winger it would surely require a Raheem Sterling exit. Sterling remains committed to Chelsea despite constant speculation.”
Will Chelsea sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer?
Kvaratskhelia could easily be an upgrade on the likes of Sterling and Mudryk.
Last season, the wide man scored 11 league goals, more than what Sterling and Mudryk managed, and provided six assists in 34 outings.
As per FBref, Kvaratskhelia has also ranked in the 97th percentile for progressive carries and the 95th percentile for successful take-ons among his positional peers over the last year, showing how much of a threat the Georgian can be.
Still, given that Sterling and Mudryk, the latter being the fourth-most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history, are still at Stamford Bridge, Kvaratskhelia moving to west London seems unlikely.
As of now, there does not look to be serious interest in Sterling, meaning it could be difficult to move him on this summer and make room for someone like Kvaratskhelia.