I think it's because Chelsea have a VERY young & talented squad which they've spent close to £1bn on in 12 months, who'll also have the season ahead to bed in without the distraction & added pressure of European football.
These players are getting in at the ground level. Some will fall by the wayside, but for others, in 2-3 seasons, they could be first choice for a club whose squad is under 25 & ready to challenge for the lot.
Olisé's a London boy too, so like Rice he doesn't even have to move home, or get used to a new accent... \0/
If City were seriously in for him, we'd have made our move, however it seems Jeremy Doku is our preferred choice & to be honest, of the wide options available, Doku's the one I'd have chosen.
Doku, Paqueta AND Wirtz would be a perfect window for me. Hearing KDB's gonna be out for 4 months confirms my fears that from hereon in, we'll have to manage Kev's game time which will take away our creative hub.
Paqueta maybe the answer, but with Wirtz added too, I'd feel a whole more at ease...