With the Club World Cup now out of the picture and a Premier League season to prepare for, Chelsea are looking to make moves in the transfer market once again.
It’s already been a good summer of business for Enzo Maresca’s side. When it comes to outgoings, they’ve been able to finally shift Kepa Arrizabalaga and make a significant profit on Noni Madueke, with both players taking the well-trodden path to Arsenal.
Then, in terms of incomings, the Blues have seriously strengthened the frontline with the additions of Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
The next target on the West Londoners’ list appears to be Xavi Simons, but he’s not the only one, as reports suggest that Chelsea are also working on a deal to sign someone who’d be a dream winger for the Dutchman.
Chelsea target dream winger for Simons
As things stand, it looks like the next player who could be on his way to Stamford Bridge is Simons.
Transfer Focus
For example, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano revealed yesterday morning that the player himself is “keen” to join Chelsea and that direct talks between the two clubs are “advancing,” and then, in the afternoon, Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg claimed that RB Leipzig expect the Blues to make their “first offer soon.”
In terms of the 22-year-old’s potential cost, it appears that the final fee could be in the region of £52m, which, for a player who amassed a tally of 11 goals and eight assists in 33 games last season, seems reasonable.
However, as we mentioned above, the West Londoners aren’t planning on stopping there, as it also appears that they are trying to sign another international, someone who could be a dream winger for Simons.
At least that’s according to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, which claims Chelsea are still very interested in Alejandro Garnacho.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Pensioners have been in talks with Manchester United over a deal, although Aston Villa have been as well, and Tottenham Hotspur are also credited with an interest.
Interestingly, due to the Red Devils’ desire to sell the player, following his falling out with the manager, another report states that he could be available for around £40m, which could be a bargain for a young talent, especially as he could be a dream winger for Simons.
Why Garnacho would be a dream winger for Simons
Okay, so we know that Garnacho doesn’t exactly have the best reputation at the moment, but there are several reasons he could be the ideal winger for Simons, and the first is his output.
Despite being just 20 years old for the entirety of last season, and playing for a historically poor United side that changed managers a third of the way into the campaign, the Madrid-born gem was still able to score 11 goals and provide ten assists in 58 appearances, totalling 3,568 minutes.
In other words, the Argentine international averaged a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or more impressively, every 169.90 minutes.
Appearances
58
Minutes
3568′
Goals
11
Assists
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.36
Minutes per Goal Involvements
169.90′
Just imagine what numbers he’d be able to put up playing ahead of Simons in this Chelsea side and under the guidance of Maresca, especially as he continues to develop, which brings us to the following reason: his age.
According to research carried out by The Athletic in 2021, wingers do not hit their peak until the age of 26, so if the dynamic attacker is already able to put up 20-plus goal involvements now, it’s not hard to see him being a serious threat a few years from now, especially if he develops alongside Simons.
Finally, even if you are unimpressed by his output, the “generational” talent, as dubbed by Statman Dave, has some genuinely impressive underlying numbers to his name.
According to FBref, he was in the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last season for touches in the opposition penalty area and carries into the final third, the top 7% for progressive carries and total shots, and the top 10% for carries into the penalty area.
In other words, when his teammates get him the ball, he can and often does make things happen, and in a team with players like Pedro, Delap and Simons, that could result in far more goals than it did at Old Trafford.
Ultimately, for the reported price, Chelsea should look to bring Garnacho to the Bridge this summer, as not only could he develop into a great player in his own right, but he could also be brilliant alongside the Leipzig star.
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