Chelsea have solely scored 4 targets of their final 5 Premier League video games, three of these 4 targets being scored by Cole Palmer, the opposite being a freekick from membership captain, Reece James.
While Nicolas Jackson has began the season effectively, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 21 games played, there have been dry spells (together with this present five-game run) for the ahead. Regardless of the sensible all-round play the 23-year-old offers, he has nonetheless managed to overlook some vital possibilities this season, which in flip has price the Blues once in a while.
This has led many followers to name for one more striker possibility alongside Jackson, maybe one that may supply one thing completely different from the bench. With the January window open, Chelsea’s administrators might positively obtain that this month.
Chelsea’s striker search
Based on reports from BILD, Chelsea are eager on Bayern Munich ahead, Mathys Tel, and have already made contact with the participant’s camp. However, Bayern Munich are involved in Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, which might trigger a knock-on impact.
The 19-year-old can play as each a striker, but in addition as a winger (each side), mostly getting minutes as a left-winger for the German giants in his restricted possibilities to this point. Final marketing campaign, Tel made 41 appearances under Thomas Tuchel, scoring ten targets, offering six assists and totalling 1,406 minutes performed, with 24 of his 41 appearances coming from the left.
Tel has solely made 12 appearances so far this campaign under new manager, Vincent Kompany, and is but to supply a aim or help in his 351 minutes performed.
How Tel compares to Nicolas Jackson
As beforehand talked about, Jackson began the season effectively, with Maresca taking a liking to the Senegal worldwide for his on-ball qualities (other than scoring targets), alongside together with his off-ball motion and work price to assist the crew of their total play each out and in of possession.
Tel is an possibility who might play as that centre-forward for Chelsea, in an analogous strategy to Jackson, dropping deep to play alongside Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández in a pentagon-shaped midfield (with Moises Caicedo and one among their fullbacks inverting, often on the base of midfield), but in addition making runs in behind and arriving within the field to complete possibilities.
Nicolas Jackson (24/25) vs Mathys Tel (23/24) comparability |
||
---|---|---|
Stats (per 90 minutes) |
Jackson |
Tel |
Targets |
0.53 |
0.63 |
Assists |
0.23 |
0.38 |
xG |
0.63 |
0.34 |
xAG |
0.15 |
0.25 |
Progressive Carries |
2.22 |
4.06 |
Progressive Passes |
1.40 |
2.56 |
Photographs Complete |
3.33 |
3.75 |
Targets/Shot |
0.16 |
0.17 |
Key Passes |
1.11 |
1.20 |
Shot-Creating Actions |
3.16 |
4.14 |
Aerial Duels Received |
0.58 |
1.05 |
Stats taken from FBref |
Whenever you examine the metrics of Jackson and Tel (from final season, because it offers a greater understanding with a greater pattern measurement of minutes performed), you’ll be able to see Tel really ranks as barely extra medical with 0.17 targets/shot ratio, in comparison with Jackson’s ratio of 0.16. That is additionally contemplating Tel has a barely increased shot quantity per 90, with 3.75 pictures per 90 in comparison with Jackson’s 3.33.
Regardless of being barely smaller (6 foot tall in comparison with Jackson who’s 6 foot 1), the 19-year-old additionally wins extra aerial duels than Jackson with 1.05 in comparison with his 0.58, which is a crucial metric to analyse when taking a look at different striker choices for the Senegal worldwide.
One space the Blues will know they will enhance on, is making certain they capitalise on their artistic high quality from the likes of Palmer, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernández, who can all present sensible crosses and lengthy balls into the penalty space.
Having a striker who can add aerial prowess would give Maresca one other attacking software to utilise in his facet, whereas doubtlessly usurping Jackson within the close to future.
Mykhailo Mudryk vs Mathys Tel comparability
However Tel is not only a striker possibility. As beforehand talked about, he performed extra of his video games for Bayern on the left underneath Tuchel, displaying his versatility and the way his ability set can translate into completely different zones on the pitch.
Comparisons similar to Marcus Rashford and Cody Gakpo come to thoughts, with a taller framed winger, who can play as a centre-forward, utilizing their instincts for a aim and physicality/athleticism to thrive.
Being right-footed, it permits Tel to chop inside and get his pictures off on his stronger foot, one thing that has already develop into a trademark for him at such a younger age together with his wonderful ball putting. One other instance of this might be Kylian Mbappe, who has performed as each a left-winger and a striker, however loves to chop inside from the left, usually stepping into his finest taking pictures zones from that place.
Mykhailo Mudryk vs Mathys Tel comparability |
||
---|---|---|
Stats (per 90 minutes) |
Mudryk |
Tel |
Targets |
0.32 |
0.63 |
Assists |
0.16 |
0.38 |
xG |
0.19 |
0.34 |
xAG |
0.44 |
0.25 |
Progressive Carries |
5.26 |
4.06 |
Progressive Passes |
1.75 |
2.56 |
Photographs Complete |
1.75 |
3.75 |
Key Passes |
2.28 |
1.20 |
Passes into Pen Space |
1.05 |
1.58 |
Shot-Creating Actions |
3.68 |
4.14 |
Profitable Take-Ons |
1.58 |
3.61 |
Stats taken from FBref |
One weak space for Tel as a winger, is his lack of vary in relation to crossing, usually selecting to use pushed crosses into the field, relatively than quite a lot of chipped/whipped makes an attempt alongside them. That is comparable together with his key passes, usually being comparable in comparison with having a extra artistic vary, particularly when you think about how technically artistic Tel is when dribbling and taking pictures.
Tel has been labelled an “absolute jewel” by Jacek Kulig, praising the teenager’s output at such a younger age for Bayern. His combination of tempo and energy enable him to be an outlet from the wing, while additionally having the standard to float inside, hyperlink play and get a excessive quantity of pictures off, trying to be that goal-scoring winger sort.
Whether or not Tel performs extra as a striker or as a left-wing possibility, the 19-year-old’s addition will surely equip Maresca with an alternative choice that’s completely different from what they have already got, permitting adjustments to be made to have an effect on video games sooner.
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