According to reports, Chelsea are seriously considering Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams as a potential replacement for Raheem Sterling.
There is a split among senior figures at Stamford Bridge on whether to retain Sterling or sell him during the upcoming summer transfer window.
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The England winger was anticipated to become a pivotal figure in west London following his move from Manchester City in the summer of 2022. However, he has struggled to justify his £50 million price tag, managing only 17 goals in 71 appearances.
Chelsea are still searching for a consistent winning formula as Mauricio Pochettino navigates through his inaugural season at the helm.
With Sterling in the lineup, alongside several other underperforming players, Chelsea appear headed for a second consecutive mid-table finish.
According to transfer expert Dean Jones, some higher-ups in the Chelsea boardroom would be content to see Sterling depart in the summer.
It’s uncertain how the situation will develop, as some members of the Chelsea hierarchy believe keeping Sterling is the right move. However, the club has reportedly begun exploring potential replacements as a precaution.
According to Blues journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are seriously considering Williams, whom they’ve been scouting for several months.
The 21-year-old has been involved in 10 goals in 22 La Liga appearances this season and has scored seven goals in five Copa del Rey matches.
Both Williams brothers found the net in Athletic Bilbao’s 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, securing their place in the Copa del Rey final.
However, if Chelsea make a move in the summer transfer window, this could mark Williams’ farewell to the Basque club.
The young player signed a new contract in December, but his £43 million release clause is believed to have remained unchanged. Chelsea’s recent track record of investing in wingers has been inconsistent at best.
Both Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke have struggled to establish themselves in Pochettino’s first team, despite the club spending over £110 million to bring them in from Shakhtar Donetsk and PSV Eindhoven, respectively.
If Sterling is indeed moved on from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, he may feel aggrieved, considering that only Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer have scored more than his six Premier League goals for Chelsea in the 2023/24 season.
