BREAKING: In a shocking twist the deal between Tyler Adams and Chelsea collapsed at the very last minute after Moisés Caicedo turned down Liverpool's offer and chose Chelsea.
Tyler Adams deal, currently OFF after Chelsea decision to bid again for Moisés Caicedo — as @skysports_sheth called earlier #CFC
Chelsea are prepared to leave talks for Adams despite medical tests already done. Documents were not signed yet.Full focus on Caicedo. pic.twitter.com/0DdPnv2eUR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2023
United States men’s national team captain Tyler Adams will be playing in the Premier League next season with London giants Chelsea. Soccer transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on Thursday.
Adams will avoid playing in the second tier of England with Leeds United due to the transfer. Some USMNT fans were concerned that the 24-year-old wouldn’t be able to get a ticket out of Leeds due to a major hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since late March.
Any interested club could’ve activated Adams’ $25 million relegation clause due to Leeds dropping out of the EPL last season. There were rumors that Aston Villa would trigger the relegation clause, however Chelsea got to him first.
Tyler Adams Chelsea transfer
Tyler Adams to Chelsea, here we go! The relegation clause worth £20m has been activated today #CFC
Agreement reached with player’s agent in London over personal terms and now medical tests to follow — after 10 days negotiations, deal now done. pic.twitter.com/Dmvo70FibB— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2023
Tyler Adams will join Chelsea after they activated his $25M release clause, per @FabrizioRomano
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 10, 2023
Blues fans have traded one captain America for another. Christian Pulisic had played with Chelsea for the past four years and left this summer with a $24 million transfer to AC Milan. Adams will become the new USMNT player on Chelsea.
Technically there are two Americans in Chelsea's ranks if you include goalkeeping youngster Gaga Slonina who was loaned to Belgian side KAS Eupen for the 2023-24 season.
Is this a good move for Adams?
This move for Adams will look great for his bank account, but USMNT fans are hesitant to celebrate the transfer. There are concerns that Adams could become Pulisic 2.0 where he rarely gets to start.
Chelsea’s midfield currently consists of two defensive midfielders with World Cup winner Enzo Fernández and 19-year-old Andrey Santos. If the roster remains that way, then Adams could see plenty of starting time.
The Blues aren’t just after Adams to fill the defensive midfield role. One of the longest ongoing transfer talks this summer has been between Chelsea and Brighton over Moisés Caicedo. Brighton are demanding a whopping $126 million for the defensive midfielder which would make him one of the most expensive midfielders in history.
Liverpool have also submitted a bid for Caicedo.
Chelsea’s other defensive midfielder target in the transfer market is Southampton’s Roméo Lavia. Adams would likely start over Lavia but behind Caicedo.
The summer transfer window closes on Sept. 1. Chelsea’s signings in the next three weeks will give a clearer picture on how much playing time Adams will get.
If Adams becomes a routine starter then this would be an incredible move for his career.