Michael Olise transfer, Jhon Duran talks and why Chelsea must be careful with Andrey Santos

Bobby Vincent hosted a Chelsea-related Q&A session on Thursday afternoon. The Blues reporter was asked about a number of topics, mostly transfer-related, as you can see in the full transcript below...

Palmers asked: "Anything on Calafiori or Yoro?"

Bobby replied: "Sorry, nothing on those two specifically. However, I have had it mentioned to me that the club are pursuing a young left-back this summer. Other positions seem to be the priority at the moment, though."

Palmers: "Does that indicate one of Ben Chilwell or Marc Cucurella will be sold or are the club just looking for one more option?"

Bobby: "I would be very surprised if either were sold this summer - unless something drastically changes. I think they are just looking towards the future. Both Cucurella and Chilwell are fairly senior in the Chelsea squad. Also, it's worth noting that neither of them have set the world alight in their performances in recent times, so to have a young left-back to provide competition will be good for the club."

Palmers: "Thank you for that answer! I just have two more questions. 1. What is the current status on the Olise and Duran deals? 2. Are the club looking at any left wingers or are they comfortable with the options they have?"

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Bobby: "On Olise, nothing ground-breaking to report unfortunately. The club have a long-term interest in Olise and thought they were close to signing him last summer but the complexity of the clause proved to be the stumbling block and then he ended up signing a new contract. In this new deal, there is a new clause that Chelsea (and other clubs) are hoping to understand before making a concrete move/offer.

"As it stands, nothing has been offered to Crystal Palace but Chelsea are considering their options. You've got to remember, the transfer window does not officially open until tomorrow!

"Chelsea have been in contact with Duran and his representatives. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue whatsoever. However, Aston Villa are demanding £40million-£45million at the moment and Chelsea, like any club would do, are trying to drive that price down.

"Chelsea are huge admirers of the 20-year-old and want to add support/competition for Nicolas Jackson. So at the moment, talks between the clubs and dialogue with the player and his entourage."

Aidrianc22: "If Duran comes in, will there be another striker brought in? If so, what would that mean for Nicolas Jackson?"

Bobby: "As per my information, no - but that could change. Chelsea are hoping to get a lot more from Christopher Nkunku next season as well."

Ethan16: "If Chelsea sign Duran, will they still be after another striker or will David Datro Fofana be used?"

Bobby: "I do not think the club will go out and sign another striker if Duran is brought in, no. Nkunku is there as well and the club are hopeful of getting much more out of him next season.

"As for Datro Fofana, sources close to the player are not giving much away at all at the moment in terms of his future. It may well be the case of 'see how pre-season goes and assess from there'."

Silent11: "Are we still getting Olise? And is there any chance Chelsea might sign other striker instead of wasting money on Duran?"

Bobby: "The club are definitely interested in Olise. Whether or not they get him is a different question. Manchester United, too, are interested and while from the outside they do not look as much of an attractive proposition anymore, people need to remember the stature of the club and how they can lure players.

"But Chelsea are considering their options with Olise. I appreciate that is not the answer you wanted but they want to play this right after what happened last summer."

Ethan16: "Do you know when the first press conference will be for Maresca?"

Bobby: "The club have not confirmed that just yet. But when they do, I will post on my X page (@BobbyVincentFL)."

Ethan16: "I've seen stuff about Andrey Santos staying, do you think he will actually get the chance to play? Casadei didn't get many minutes and it would be a waste to do the same for Santos."

Bobby: "Yes, I've read similar. It's difficult to say. But if Conor Gallagher leaves, then yeah, why not?

"Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are of course the go-to pair but if you account for injuries over a long season, then Santos should get some minutes. Whether or not that is best for his development at a critical stage of his career is a different question."

Ethan16: "Is Chalobah guaranteed to leave or can he just refuse?"

Bobby: "He is not guaranteed to leave, no. The club are open to offers for him but will hold out for what they believe is the right price. If the club are openly trying to sell him, I do not see a world where he refuses to leave."

Palmers: "Will we go for a new goalie? And is Bulka being looked at?"

Bobby: "Things have gone fairly quiet on the goalkeeper front. The only names I have had mentioned to me are Giorgi Mamardashvili (a long-term target) and Filip Jorgensen. Personally, I have not heard anything on Bulka. There are murmurs that Enzo Maresca is a big fan of Robert Sanchez, so perhaps that's why things have gone quiet."

Ethan16: "Will Ian Maatsen be sold or will it be the decision of Maresca to decide if he wants to use him?"

Bobby: "It looks like Ian Maatsen will be sold, yes. I think the club are keen on offloading him this summer."

Mucyo05: "When does training start?"

Bobby: "I actually asked someone this morning that very question but I'm still awaiting a response."

Emmanuel0545: "Please, I heard links about Desire Doue yesterday..."

Bobby: "Sorry my friend, but I have heard nothing on that unfortunately."

Mucyo05: "What is your view on Maresca? What is the current mood among Chelsea players after his appointment, and can you share something exciting happening in the Chelsea dressing room?"

Bobby: "I'm excited to see how quickly he can implement his style of football on the squad. It is definitely a risk to appoint someone with such little managerial experience but sometimes the riskier moves are the more successful ones.

"The players, from what I'm told, are very excited to work with him. Maresca himself is very keen to meet his new squad and explain to them his style, ideology and how he believes it is the method to success."

Palmers: "Bobby, you mentioned we're looking at a new young left-back. Do you have any names?"

Bobby: "Sorry mate, but no names have been given to me so far."

Ethan16: "Will Chelsea try to get a buy-back clause if they do sell Omari Hutchinson?"

Bobby: "I would imagine so, yes. They try to do that with a lot of the young players they sell."

Palmers: "What do you think is more likely: Gallagher signing a new contract, Gallagher being sold, or Gallagher staying without signing a new contract?"

Bobby: "My opinion: Gallagher being sold this summer. I can see him leaving. I don't think there's a world where Chelsea let him leave on a free next summer."

Ethan16: "Do you think Carney will get more minutes this season, as long as he doesn't get injured?"

Bobby: "Hopefully. Saying that, though, it is going to be difficult for him to do that if others like Palmer and Nkunku are fit."

Palmers: "What is the status of the multi-club model, are the BlueCo looking to add more teams to it? And if so, in what leagues?"

Bobby: "At the moment, nothing my end to suggest they are looking to add another club imminently. But for sure, they will do in the future. The owners are full of admiration for what Red Bull have done with its model. I would imagine trying to get in as many of the 'top' leagues around Europe would be a target for BlueCo."

Ethan16: "Do you know what the plan is for Angelo next season? Will be come back for pre-season or go back on loan?"

Bobby: "I think he will come back for pre-season or at least some of it. It will be good for Maresca to see what all of his players are about over in the United States. But yeah, fully expect him to go back out on loan."

Bernyc1911: "Why does the Chelsea hierarchy think it's a good idea to purchase Duran rather than someone like Solanke? He is more of a proven player."

Bobby: "The Chelsea model now is to buy young. Duran definitely fits that mould."

Tonny12: "What plan do they have for Malo Gusto?"

Bobby: "Everyone was very impressed with what they saw from Gusto last season. They see him as someone that can push Reece James."

Eberechukwu: "Good day Bobby: please how many players have the Blues signed so far? And how many players are they planning to add to the team and in which position are they working on?"

Bobby: "Good day to you too. Well, so far they have signed just the one player in Tosin Adarabioyo - it's worth noting the transfer window opens tomorrow!

"But they are looking to add a few more over the course of the coming months. If Trevoh Chalobah was to leave - with the club open to offers - then they would look at bringing a new centre-back in. A young left-back is being targeted also (unfortunately I do not have specific names in this area).

"A right winger is being looked at (Michael Olise remains of interest) and a central striker, with the club talking to Aston Villa at the moment about the possible signing of Jhon Duran."