Enzo Maresca has definitely silenced a number of doubters throughout his opening months as Chelsea boss, making a settled Premier League facet, with outcomes enhancing consequently.
The Italian arrived in the summertime, changing Mauricio Pochettino and has made his personal mark on the squad, resulting in his front-foot attacking type taking the membership to fourth place after the primary 20 outings.
Such a philosophy has seen the Blues boast the third-highest aim tally of any facet within the division, permitting the attacking-minded gamers to flourish beneath his steering at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer stays the highest scorer with 13 objectives, however Nicolas Jackson has additionally demonstrated his high quality, and registered 9 objectives – lastly beginning to appear like a participant able to producing the products in ahead areas.
Nonetheless, January presents one other alternative for the 44-year-old so as to add additional high quality to his facet, with one big-name expertise already on their radar over a possible transfer to West London.
Chelsea involved in signing £67m star in January
In line with journalist David Ornstein, Chelsea are within the race to signal Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this month, however face severe competitors from a number of different sides.
Liverpool, Manchester United and PSG and simply three of the perimeters additionally involved in touchdown the 23-year-old who’s produced eight mixed objectives and assists all through 2024/25.
The Georgian worldwide may turn into out there earlier than the top of the month, which may spark a bidding conflict between the entire aforementioned golf equipment.
One other supply has claimed that the Serie A outfit are demanding €80m (£67m) to half methods with their star attacker, but it surely’s unknown if any of the perimeters would have the ability to fork out such a charge.
Kvaratskhelia can be an outstanding addition for the Blues, probably turning into their very own model of one of many main stars in European soccer over the previous few years.
Why Kvaratskhelia might be Chelsea’s personal model of Mbappe
French star Kylian Mbappé is a participant each membership on the earth should want that they had, particularly given his output in entrance of aim – scoring numerous objectives and terrorising backlines within the course of.
Throughout his seven years with Ligue 1 facet PSG, the 26-year-old registered 235 objectives in 264 matches – an outstanding report, along with his finest season coming throughout his closing one in Paris, registering 44 throughout all competitions.
He subsequently moved to Actual Madrid on a free switch on the finish of his contract forward of the continuing season, already scoring 14 instances for his new outfit – sustaining his standing as certainly one of Europe’s most potent forwards.
While Kvaratskhelia isn’t as prolific because the French worldwide, he possesses severe high quality with the ball at his toes, usually chopping inside onto his proper foot off the left – replicating the talent set of Mbappé.
Because of his shows for Napoli this season, he’s been ranked as an identical participant to the Actual Madrid star by FBref, matching or bettering the 26-year-old in varied key areas for an attacker.
How Kvaratskhelia compares to Mbappé in 2024/25 to date | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Kvaratskhelia | Mbappé |
Video games performed | 17 | 17 |
Targets & assists | 8 | 12 |
Progressive carries | 5.7 | 5.1 |
Progressive passes | 4.4 | 4.3 |
Shot-creating actions | 4.4 | 3.3 |
Take-ons tried | 2.5 | 2.5 |
Carries into the ultimate third | 3.9 | 2.5 |
Stats by way of FBref | ||
The Georgian, who’s been dubbed “the most effective dribblers on the earth” by analyst Max Statman, has averaged extra progressive carries and passes per 90 – showcasing his capacity to take the ball into ahead areas.
He’s additionally produced extra shot-creating actions, while matching Mbappé for tried take-ons, demonstrating how he might be the Blues’ very personal model of the main European attacker.
£67m could also be one other costly addition for the Blues’ hierarchy, however he’s definitely obtained the standard to be price each penny, additional boosting the membership’s high 4 ambitions.
Given his similarities to the Actual Madrid ace, the membership can be making an enormous mistake in not pursuing a transfer for the Napoli man, with certainly one of their English rivals probably benefitting from their failure to safe a deal.
Associated
Maresca may type Chelsea’s new Terry & Cahill by signing £70m star
Chelsea may signal a £70m star to companion Colwill and recreate the membership’s well-known Terry & Cahill duo.
