After watching Manchester United swoop to sign Romelu Lukaku from under their nose, the signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko will ease the pain for everyone associated with Chelsea.The Monaco midfielder is expected to complete a £35 million move to Stamford Bridge, with the Telegraph’s Matt Law reporting that he will undergo a medical on Friday.Bakayoko’s arrival will pave the way for Nemanja Matic to leave the Premier League champions. The Serbian midfielder is eager to join Man United but the signing of Lukaku for £75m has complicated the matter.According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte made it his mission to watch Bakayoko in as many Champions League matches as possible.“[Conte] wanted to see him working out of possession as much as on the ball and envisage how he might fit into his team,” Matt Barlow writes.Bayakoko’s signing further enhances a side that cruised to the Premier League title last season. The Frenchman is just 22-years-old and played a crucial part in Monaco’s success in 2016-17.
Chelsea fans may not see Bakayoko until September
But there is one problem that the Blues will be acutely aware of - Bakayoko’s fitness.
According to Law, Conte fears Bakayoko will not be ready for the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 6. Chelsea fans may not even see Bakayoko in the season opener against Burnley - he could be out of action until September.
Bakayoko could miss three league matches
The France international underwent surgery at the end of last season to repair a knee injury and there are now concerns that he could miss Chelsea’s pre-season tour to China and Singapore.
If Bakayoko is unavailable until September, not only would he miss the clash at Wembley Stadium against Arsenal but also Premier League fixtures against Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
It’s not terrible news for Chelsea, of course. Cesc Fabregas is more than capable of starring alongside N’Golo Kante at the heart of the Blues’ midfield.
But it means that Bakayoko is likely to miss the entire pre-season with his new club.
If Chelsea receive £40m for Matic - the price they value him at - then it represents an impressive trade of centre-midfielders.
The club are also interested in signing right-back Danilo from Real Madrid and are eager to pair him with Alex Sandro on the opposite flank.
And don’t be surprised to see a new striker coming in. They missed out on Lukaku and Diego Costa is set to depart after falling out of favour with Conte.