[NEWS] Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel eyeing long- term transfer target to replace Lampard’s favourite

Chelsea are desperate to bolster their ranks this summer transfer window.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has big plans to bolster his squad
going into the summer transfer window with defence a priority. It
spells the end for one man, who was a favourite under Frank
Lampard.

Chelsea are eyeing a move for Bayern Munich star Niklas Sule
ahead of the summer transfer window.
The defender was being eyed by the Blues earlier this year while
Tuchel is a known fan of the Germany international, who he has
admired for some time.

With the Stamford Bridge outfit in the final of the FA Cup and the
semi-finals of the Champions League, it has been a fine return to
form since Tuchel was hired as manager.
But there are still improvements to be made and a centre-back was
top of the agenda even before the former Paris Saint-Germain boss
was in charge.

Tuchel has changed the system at Chelsea, playing three
defenders instead of two – so it has only amplified the need for
another centre-back further.

According to The Athletic, Sule is top of the wish list as they look
to take advantage of his uncertain future at Bayern Munich.

The 25-year-old has just one year left on his contract and has eyed
a departure himself.

Despite David Alaba and Jerome Boateng looking set to leave this
summer, there have been question marks over Sule’s time in
Bavaria – especially after club chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
publicly criticised his performance against Eintracht Frankfurt in
February.

Bayern have already secured the signing of Dayot Upamecano from
RB Leipzig, while Lucas Hernandez has played more of a role in
recent weeks.

The Athletic further report that Sule is relaxed over his situation at
Bayern, safe knowing that his services are wanted by others across
the continent.

If the former Hoffenheim star does sign for Chelsea, it would spell
the end for Kurt Zouma – who was a first-team regular under
Lampard.

The Frenchman has found game-time hard to come by under
Tuchel and has been linked with a switch to either Leicester or
Everton in the summer.

While Lampard was in charge, Zouma forged a defensive
partnership with Thiago Silva but Tuchel prefers Antonio Rudiger
and Andreas Christensen over the former Saint-Etienne star.