January was an interesting time for Chelsea fans, as the club were allowed to make moves for the first time following their ban, yet did nothing.
The only excitement, if you want to call it that, was the speculation surrounding Olivier Giroud’s future, which ended up in the player staying at Stamford Bridge and eventually renewing for an extra year.
Soon after the January window closed, it was announced Frank Lampard would be welcoming Hakim Ziyech at the end of the season, seemingly getting the ball rolling for a revamp of the squad, as the likes of Pedro and Willian run down their contracts.
Then came the rumours that Timo Werner was close to signing, and while that still remains to be confirmed, it’s looking increasingly likely.
That means a new striker, other than the German, won’t be needed next season, and it’s one of the reasons why Chelsea said no to Mario Mandzukić.
The news comes from Calciomercato.it, who explain the Croatian, now at Al Duhail in Qatar following a January free transfer, was ‘offered’ to the Blues, but the project put in place by Frank Lampard, focusing on younger players and added intensity, didn’t correspond with what the striker has to offer.
That doesn’t mean Mandzukić won’t be returning to Europe, however, as the website explain both Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray are interested in his services, with the former of the two pushing more than the other.
The 34-year-old might make a comeback, but it just won’t be at Stamford Bridge.
