Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca seems set for a busy summer time certainly. He could also be near main the Blues to their first trophy since 2021, however the Italian is already pondering forward to subsequent season.
There was no scarcity of big-name gamers being linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge in current weeks.
Actual Madrid celebrity Rodrygo is one trending goal, with reviews coming from Spain that the membership would like to signal the Brazilian.
Hugo Ekitiké has emerged as one other potential choice to bolster Maresca’s frontline this summer time. Journalist Simon Phillips claimed that Chelsea had been scouting the Frenchman forward of the summer time switch window following his glorious marketing campaign for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Whereas the necessity for attacking gamers is clearly key for Maresca, particularly if the membership secures Champions League qualification for 2025/26, bringing in one other centre-back or two is equally essential.
Throughout all competitions this season, the membership have conceded 57 objectives, together with 43 within the Premier League.
The battle for a prime 5 spot | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crew | Video games | Wins | Attracts | Defeats | factors |
2. Arsenal | 37 | 19 | 14 | 4 | 71 |
3. Newcastle | 37 | 20 | 6 | 11 | 66 |
4. Chelsea | 37 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 66 |
5. Aston Villa | 37 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 66 |
6. Man Metropolis | 36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 65 |
7. Nottingham Forest | 37 | 19 | 8 | 10 | 65 |
They’ll face harder competitors in Europe definitely, heightening the necessity for a defender able to stepping as much as the plate.
It regarded as if they had been frontrunners to signal Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, however that plan was scuppered lately…
Chelsea have missed out on Dean Huijsen
Following a wonderful season for the Cherries, Huijsen definitely attracted consideration from elsewhere, and it appeared as if he can be leaving the south coast sooner relatively than later.
In accordance with the Mail, Chelsea had been focusing on a swoop for the Spanish defender, with the report claiming fellow admirers Liverpool, believed that the Blues had been main the chase.
Current developments, nevertheless, now imply that the teenager will not be making the transfer to London this summer time.
Actual Madrid activated the £50m launch clause in his contract with a purpose to safe his providers on the finish of the season.
This can be a large blow for Maresca, as capturing Huijsen, particularly with golf equipment equivalent to Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool displaying curiosity, would have signalled an announcement of intent.
Now, the Italian must flip to different defensive targets forward of the switch window opening on June 1. By that point, the Blues will know which European competitors they are going to be enjoying in subsequent season.
May this enable the membership to signal extra high-profile gamers?
Chelsea eager to open talks with teenage defender
Maresa may flip to Premier League defenders Marc Guehi and Jarrad Branthwaite as potential options this summer time, in accordance with Sky Sports activities.
It’s possible each Crystal Palace and Everton will try and put Chelsea off by inserting large value tags on their prized property. If that’s the case, the Blues may nicely flip to the continent for one more centre-back.
In accordance with TEAMtalk, with Huijsen now unavailable, Chelsea are reportedly eager on opening talks with Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.
The 19-year-old is a sought-after participant, with the likes of AC Milan, Liverpool and Arsenal all displaying curiosity in prising him away from the Netherlands.
Ajax have set an asking value within the area of €45m-€50m (£38m-£42m), which means if the Blues had been to signal him, he can be cheaper than Huijsen.
The report claims that talks are set to start quickly between the Premier League aspect and Hato. If that’s the case, Maresca shall be trying to get this deal over the road as rapidly as doable.
Why Chelsea should signal Jorrel Hato
Soccer expertise scout Jacek Kulig is used to waxing lyrical about younger expertise, however his reward for Hato again in 2023 proves simply how highly-rated he actually was.
“17 years of age. De Toekomst’s Most interesting. One of the crucial gifted CBs of his era in Europe.” Mentioned Kulig and the teenager has gone from energy to energy since.
Gamers Chelsea have signed from Ajax | |
|---|---|
Participant | Yr joined |
Hakim Ziyech | 2020 |
Daishwan Redan | 2017 |
Juan Familia-Castillo | 2016 |
Per Weihrauch | 2006 |
Moubarak Boussoufa | 2002 |
Jesper Gronkjaer | 2001 |
Mario Melchiot | 1999 |
By way of Transfermarkt | |
Regardless of solely turning 19 in March, the Ajax sensation has already racked up 111 aggressive appearances for the membership, registering 13 aim contributions in that point.
Though the membership collapsed over the ultimate few video games, permitting PSV Eindhoven to steal the Eredivisie title away from them, Hato loved a beautiful marketing campaign.
His 90% move accuracy within the prime flight was third-best within the squad, behind solely Youri Baas and Josip Sutalo, whereas he ranked first for tackles (1.9), fifth for interceptions (0.7) and third for clearances (2) per sport for Ajax.
He additionally gained 4.1 whole duels per sport – successful fee of 52% – whereas recovering 4.2 balls per sport within the Eredivisie this time period.
These performances led Kulig to hail him for his “immense high quality” and for having an “glorious season” for the Dutch membership.
Huijsen could also be on his solution to Madrid, however is there a case for Hato to maybe transform the higher long-term prospect for Chelsea?
Why Jorrel Hato generally is a higher signing than Dean Huijsen
Whereas Huijsen is an outstanding centre-back, Hato affords positional flexibility which may see him thrive below Maresca.
Not solely is he a wonderful ball-playing centre-back, however Hato can be simply as comfy at full-back, significantly on the left aspect of the defence.
Domestically this season, the Dutch teenager has registered eight aim contributions for Ajax, together with recording 0.45 goal-creating actions, successful 36 tackles, making 33 carries into the ultimate third and taking 413 touches within the remaining third.
Evaluate these statistics to Huijsen, nevertheless, and it’s clear who may match into Maresca’s type higher.
The Spaniard has recorded 4 aim contributions for the Cherries this time period, whereas he additionally recorded 0.12 goal-creating actions, wins 26 tackles, made 29 carries into the ultimate third and has taken solely 137 touches within the opposition’s remaining third within the prime flight.
Hato’s ball-playing means in advancing out of his personal half may give Chelsea a brand new dimension subsequent season.
Huijsen could have been flavour of the month for some time, however for a less expensive switch payment, Maresca may signal a defender who has the potential to be even higher.
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