Chelsea target Tijjani Reijnders signs new deal with AC Milan | OneFootball

Even after spending over £1 billion in the transfer market, Chelsea still miss an important profile in midfield. The Blues do not have a box-to-box number eight, who can score and create while adding physicality to the engine room.

Unsursprisingly, Chelsea were linked to one in the summer transfer window with the Blues looking to rectify some of the mistakes they made in building this squad.

Reijnders is a fantastic operator who can do it all in the centre of the park. He can dictate the pace, drive with the ball, split defences open with his passing and crash the box to score goals.

Chelsea were reportedly keen on securing his services but may have to turn elsewhere after Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the 26-year-old has signed a new deal to stay at the San Siro.

The Blues might decide to continue pushing for Reijnders if AC Milan do not qualify for the Champions League, which is looking more and more likely following successive losses to Bologna and Lazio. They sit in ninth place, on course for their worst finish since 2015.

Reijnders might decide to seek a new stomping ground if Milan do not qualify for Europe and Stamford Bridge will be waiting to receive him with open arms.

A move for Reijnders would be surprising in our view as it would mean shifting Cole Palmer back to the right flank as opposed to the number 10 role he has played for Chelsea this season.

Reijnders would force Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca to play a 4-3-3 formation, which might distort the current dynamic. The Blues need more physicality in the engine room and returning loanee Andrey Santos would bring that. They can do without Reijnders.