3 Chelsea players who could be affected should Richarlison join the Blues this summer
Chelsea are reportedly set to rival fellow London clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur for the services of Brazilian forward Richarlison, as per the Daily Mail.
The Blues are currently in the market to strengthen their team ahead of the 2022-23 season. A couple of players are said to be on their radar.
For head coach Thomas Tuchel, the attacking department could be one of the priorities in this summer's transfer window.
The latest name to be linked with the Blues happens to be Everton star player Richarlison, with Chelsea believed to be the frontrunners for his signature.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international could be a good option in attack for the Blues should he eventually complete a move to West London.
His track record in the Premier League could also be a big bonus for Tuchel's team. Richarlison has spent a combined total of five good seasons in England and is very much familiar with the league. He has scored 48 goals and provided 18 assists in 173 matches that he played in the Premier League.
His pace, creativity, and ability to link-up play could suit how the Blues want to play under Tuchel.
vs. Leicester 
vs. Brentford
Richarlison has been directly involved in five of Everton's last seven goals at Goodison Park:
⚽ vs. Leicester
⚽ vs. Chelsea
⚽🅰️ vs. Brentford
⚽ vs. Crystal Palace
They're not going down on his watch. https://t.co/onxv2hmRg8
Richarlison is also very versatile and can operate as a left-winger, centre-forward, and even as a second-striker. While it is still not certain as to whether or not the Brazilian will be a Blues player next season, his arrival could affect a few players in the squad.
As such, this article will take a look at some attacking players who could be affected by the potential arrival of Richarlison at Stamford Bridge.
#3 Callum Hudson-Odoi
A Chelsea player whose game time could greatly be affected next season, should Richarlison sign for the Blues, is Hudson-Odoi.
The 21-year-old winger could potentially be pushed down the pecking order of forward players at the London club next season.
Odoi hasn't really had the a good run of games since he broke into the scene at Chelsea. He recorded the fewest number of minutes of all the first-team forward players at the club last season, at 1,790.
Also, considering the fact that the young star favors the left-wing position more, it will be really hard for him to displace Richarlison.
The Brazilian has produced better numbers in the left-wing position than Hudson-Odoi and Tuchel could thus opt for the Blues academy product.
3 - Richarlison has reached 10+ goals in a Premier League season for a third time for Everton (also 2018-19 and 2019-20), only the second player to do so for the club, after Romelu Lukaku (4). Responsibility. https://t.co/N8dGoumPSm
In terms of goal contributions, the Everton forward is also miles ahead of Hudson-Odoi. The Brazilian had a combined total of 16 goals and assists last season while Hudson-Odoi had just seven.
#2 Christian Pulisic
The American winger has been rumored to be among the few Chelsea players who could exit the club this summer. Eurosport has reported that Liverpool are keeping an eye on the winger.
However, in the midst of the transfer uncertainties, a move for Richarlison by the Blues could be bad news for Pulisic.
The 23-year-old winger has struggled to secure regular game time under Tuchel. Pulisic played just 2,122 minutes of football last season, making him the second-least used among Chelsea forwards.
Christian Pulisic:
“Nothing for nothing, but that season was crazy.”
[via iG: cmpulisic] https://t.co/lHxNe5rjj1
He was played out of his position most times among all players last season. The American operated as a right wing-back, left wing-back, and even as a false-nine in games for the Blues.
Any possible arrival of Richarlison to Stamford Bridge could make things more complicated for the 23-year-old winger, especially in his preferred left-wing position.
#1 Timo Werner
Another Chelsea player who may not find it easy should the Blues make a move for Richarlison is German striker Timo Werner.
Werner played a combined total of 2,172 minutes last season, third-fewest among Chelsea's forward players. He managed to make 24 starts across all competitions.
Also, considering the fact that Richarlison operates primarily as a striker, it will be interesting to see where Tuchel can use Werner.
One of the highlights of Timo Werner last season, the goal against Real Madrid. Edit:-@433_cfc https://t.co/zVuG5IAfjh
With Richarlison and also Kai Havertz, who is basically Chelsea's main striker, the chances of Werner playing upfront in the team would be slim.
The German could also find it hard to make do with a place on the left-wing, as it is also a position Richarlison loves to operate in.