Each Chelsea fan shall be loving life on the minute, with boss Enzo Maresca working wonders throughout his first few months at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian has guided the Blues to second place after the primary 14 matches of the marketing campaign, sitting simply seven factors off leaders Liverpool after their spectacular latest run of type.
His facet are unbeaten in seven Premier League matches, claiming an enormous 5-1 victory towards relegation strugglers Southampton on Wednesday night time.
Maresca has applied a fantastic attacking system that has led to 31 goals so far this season – probably the most of any facet at the moment in England’s top-flight.
Nevertheless, he could possibly be about so as to add additional firepower to his attacking division, doubtlessly catapulting the membership into an sudden title cost within the closing months of 2024/25.
Chelsea concentrating on January transfer for £67m star
In response to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are targeting a deal for a brand new striker within the January window, with a plethora of names put into the combo over a possible transfer to West London.
Nevertheless, one participant they look like fascinated by is Juventus talisman Dušan Vlahović, after the Serbian’s glorious begin to the marketing campaign which has seen him notch nine goals in his first 16 appearances in all competitions.
They would face competition from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal facet, with the Spaniard additionally trying to clear up their drawback place to spice up their very own title ambitions.
Any deal for the 24-year-old can be an costly one, with the report claiming that it might take a charge within the region of €75m (£67m) for the Italian giants to half with their star attacker.
While on the face of it, it could be one other large sum for Todd Boehly to fork out, any deal for the towering ace can be properly definitely worth the price ticket, particularly given his comparability to one in every of Europe’s main strikers in latest occasions.
Why Vlahovic can be Chelsea’s personal Haaland
Manchester Metropolis striker Erling Haaland has been a dominant pressure in recent times, offering a relentless supply of targets for Pep Guardiola’s males within the league and Europe.
The Norwegian has registered 107 goals in his 118 appearances for the Residents, serving to them lastly finish their anticipate a Champions League title again in 2022/23.
Haaland has additionally smashed all of the English data, scoring 36 times in the same season, writing his identify into historical past, and turning into the holder of the most goals scored in a single 38-game marketing campaign.
Nevertheless, after Vlahovic’s personal spectacular begin to 2024/25, he’s been deemed as a similar player to the City star by FBref – an enormous assertion given the type of the previous Borussia Dortmund talisman.
When delving into their respective figures from the continued season, the Serbian has matched or bettered Haaland in quite a few key areas, resulting in Italian legend Christian Vieri beforehand labelling him as “one of the best young talents in the world”.
The “phenomenal” Juve attacker, as dubbed by journalist Ollie Spencer, could have registered fewer mixed targets and assists, however has proven his capability to be that point of interest the Blues have been craving for the reason that summer season, winning more of his aerial duels.
|
How Dušan Vlahović compares to Erling Haaland in 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Vlahovic |
Haaland |
|
Video games performed |
12 |
14 |
|
Targets & assists |
6 |
13 |
|
Progressive passes |
0.8 |
0.6 |
|
Progressive carries |
0.7 |
0.6 |
|
Go completion charge |
70% |
69% |
|
Aerials received |
1.4 |
1.1 |
|
Aerials success charge |
47% |
42% |
|
Stats by way of FBref |
||
He’s additionally accomplished extra progressive carries and progressive passes per 90, providing an all-round choice that would enable the likes of Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke to proceed to bolster their very own goalscoring tallies together with his service and hold-up play.
A carry is taken into account progressive if the ball is moved in direction of the opponent’s aim at the very least 10 yards from its place to begin or is carried into the penalty space.
While, on the face of it, any deal for Vlahovic can be one other large funding, he can be an choice that would rework Maresca’s choices within the closing third.
Nobody might’ve predicted the Blues’ mega begin to the league season, with any deal for the ahead solely enhancing their possibilities of both reaching the highest 4 or doing the unthinkable and claiming title glory.
Associated
Chelsea need to sell their £64m problem who Boehly dubbed “world-class”
Chelsea should promote an issue participant who was as soon as described as “world-class” by the membership’s proprietor.
