According to Matt Law on the London is Blue Podcast
https://londonisbluepodcast.com/
Matt on a new keeper signing:
Frank wanted to leave Cech to the keeper signing (who recommended Mendy), Chelsea decided to make a battle for the number one shirt a priority due to lack of interest in Kepa.
On Kepa:
Kepa & Kepa's people want to stay and fight for the spot, Frank and Kepa have held talks and Frank was sympathetic to Kepa's form slump due to life issues and wants him to stay.
On Mendy:
"They wanted a tall goalkeeper I know that", their most successful goalkeepers in Cech and Courtois were good off the line and Frank wants someone to dominate the area and play with his feet. Told he is a good, confident lad and he brings a different element to the game.
On Declan Rice:
Frank wants a new DM and Rice is his top target, Declan wants to return. Reason left to last is because it is the most difficult and possibly the most money. He isn't going to force his way out of West Ham. "As long as Frank is head coach, Rice will come to Chelsea this summer or next summer".
On Midfield insights:
"Lampard and Chelsea are extremely happy with the midfield talent, but not the mix in Midfield". Kova and Jorginho don't bring out the best in each other defensively, leaves holes, Kova & Kante pair is quiet and do not speak as much on the pitch. Chelsea is a very quiet time aside from Kepa, Azpi & Rudi. They want the mix to work defensively and offensively, they want someone to partner either Kante or Kova and talk to them into defensive position. Aside from Rice, Brozovic & Soumare are options.
On Kante:
Kante's injury problems are due to the overplaying of him during his time France, the Foxes, but especially with Sarri and Conte, his fitness issues are a worry and the club want someone who can fill his spot to keep him fit for longer. Interesting point on Sarri "He was quite frankly reckless with Kante's fitness to get into the Champions League and win Europa League and it set him back several months of recovery."
Further quote from the Kante points: If they bring in a DM, I know their next big area of search for next summer is a commanding & dominant CB. Thiago Silva is a stop gap for that window. "If they couldn't get Rice they will look elsewhere".
On Selling Kante:
Frank has said he doesn't want to sell publicly, whispers if the money was right the discussions could start but until then there is no chance. Highest earner at the club so it's not impossible.
On the market:
They are going to struggle to get the valuations that Marina wants is very hard this window. It makes more sense to get loans out the door and to wait for a better financial position.
On outgoings:
Michy to Palace is confirmed (extra year extension on his contract) club hopes his value will rise after a good season, Bakayoko to Milan will be done unsure as to whether the buy option will be included (Gazidis has good relationship with Chelsea), Ampadu is looking good and his physicality has improved (he is rated highly by the club and his time with Wilder will be great), Gallagher will end up at a premier league club (Leeds the main mention but says there are a few options), Tomori wanted to stay and was hoping to play a role in the backline but the club sees him as someone who needs more consistent playing time at a top 5 league club before settling into a role at Chelsea (he might go to Rennes on loan if Everton falls through).
On Rudiger, Zouma, and Christensen:
Matt's theory and not from any new information, more from hearsay from around the club, says that any of the three of them could have been sold this summer if the market was normal. Rudiger is a good character in the dressing room, but older and injury prone, Christensen is a worry because of a "De Bruyne" situation where a sale to a non-physical league could see his value skyrocket and he could go somewhere else and flourish. Don't want to give up Zouma as he is a big talent, "they are all very much playing for their futures"
On Injuries:
Ziyech might struggle to make gameweek one, they want him to be at full fitness and strong and ready to face the tough league, says he might be on the bench. Says Pulisic injury isn't a big concern, but the concern is more surrounding quarantine and having enough time to get up to match fitness (Matt expects him to be in the starting 11 for Brighton). Chilwell is still a few weeks away from a full start, might make the bench vs Liverpool.
On Silva:
Will be a later start for him due to going from France to Brazil to England, but they are excited to have his leadership around the team.
On Werner:
Everyone is absolutely amazed by him, hearing just how incredible he has looked, everyone is excited for him, thinks he will start down the middle but Chelsea want to deploy a more fluid front three to cause trouble in all areas.
On Havertz:
Thinks he might start out wide to help him adjust to the physicality of the league and give him a chance to have extra space and time to create and learn the league. They are impressed by his desire to join up with the team and thinks he will take some time to get in the groove.
Other choice quotes:
"Like most clubs, Chelsea don't want to do much of anything in January."
"This is just phase one for Chelsea, there are two phases and next summer will be big too."
