Kieran McKenna has been linked with the Chelsea job. (Image: Getty)
Two years after taking the reins at Stamford Bridge, the big-spending Todd Boehly is looking to appoint the fourth permanent manager of his Chelsea spell.
Much like his predecessor Thomas Tuchel, the ill-fated Graham Potter lasted just months in the role, while the last casualty, Mauricio Pochettino, wasn’t even able to see out one full year.
The latest name on the lips of Chelsea supporters is Kieran McKenna. Ipswich Town’s heroic back-to-back promotion-winning gaffer, who has taken the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
Whether he gets to manage a game in the first tier with Ipswich remains to be seen, with Chelsea – as well as Brighton & Hove Albion – keen to hire him.
As a result, Express Sport have taken a look at what Chelsea’s starting XI might look like if McKenna is hired this summer.
Goalkeeper: Mamardashvili
Giorgi Mamardashvili is one potential Chelsea signing this summer. (Image: Getty)
Much like their manager situation, the goalkeeper position has proved problematic for Chelsea in recent years.
Both Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic were signed last summer, but neither have been able to properly lay down a claim to be the outright No.1.
As a result, yet more speculation surrounding potential goalkeeper signings has emerged, with Giorgi Mamardashvili one man being linked.
According to HITC, the 23-year-old has admirers within the Stamford Bridge ranks and could be lining up between the sticks for Chelsea next season.
Defence: James, Colwill, Guehi, Cucurella
Marc Guehi could make a return to Stamford Bridge this summer. (Image: Getty)
Defence is one of the areas Boehly has splashed the most money since taking over, with the likes of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile all costing big bucks.
Despite this, Chelsea’s backline next season could be dominated by Blues academy products, with Reece James and Levi Colwill joined by Marc Guehi.
Having spent 12 years at Cobham, Guehi departed the west London outfit for Crystal Palace in 2021, but is being linked with a move back.
Expected to command a heavy fee, the England international would waltz straight into the Chelsea defence, slotting in alongside the much-improved Marc Cucurella.
Midfield: Fernandez, Caicedo, Hutchinson
Omari Hutchinson has worked under McKenna at Ipswich Town. (Image: Getty)
Of all the areas in the Chelsea squad that likely need the least amount of attention, it’s in midfield.
Both Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo started to come into their own at the back end of last season, with the latter scoring a wonder goal during the final day win over Bournemouth.
However, with talk about the board looking to cash in on Conor Gallagher refusing to go away, Chelsea could be forced into a purchase, and if it is to be McKenna in charge, it would make sense for him to work with a player he knows well.
Omari Hutchinson is currently on the books at Chelsea and is due to return from a season-long loan with Ipswich this summer.
Attack: Palmer, Nkunku, Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres racked the goals up for Sporting CP this season. (Image: Getty)
If McKenna does end up penning a deal with the two-time European champions, getting the most out of an under-performing Chelsea attack will be one of his biggest tasks.
Cole Palmer netted over a quarter of Chelsea’s Premier League goals last season, with the Englishman likely to play a key role next term, as will Christopher Nkunku, whose campaign was blighted by injuries.
That will leave one spot in the attack up for grabs, which could be taken up by goal-machine Viktor Gyokeres.
The Sporting CP frontman netted 43 goals across 49 appearances for the Portuguese outfit, with a move to Stamford Bridge having been mooted.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1902895/Chelsea-potential-XI-under-Kieran-McKenna-signings