Enzo Maresca has definitely silenced a couple of doubters throughout his opening months as Chelsea boss, making a settled Premier League facet, with outcomes bettering in consequence.
The Italian arrived in the summertime, changing Mauricio Pochettino and has made his personal mark on the squad, resulting in his front-foot attacking fashion taking the membership to fourth place after the primary 20 outings.
Such a philosophy has seen the Blues boast the third-highest goal tally of any side within the division, permitting the attacking-minded gamers to flourish below his steerage at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer stays the top scorer with 13 goals, however Nicolas Jackson has additionally demonstrated his high quality, and registered 9 objectives – lastly beginning to appear to be a participant able to producing the products in ahead areas.
Nevertheless, 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 interested by signing £67m star in January
In keeping with journalist David Ornstein, Chelsea are in 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 edges additionally interested by touchdown the 23-year-old who’s produced eight combined goals and assists all through 2024/25.
The Georgian worldwide might develop into obtainable earlier than the top of the month, which might spark a bidding struggle between the entire aforementioned golf equipment.
One other supply has claimed that the Serie A outfit are demanding €80m (£67m) to part ways with their star attacker, but it surely’s unknown if any of the edges would have the ability to fork out such a price.
Kvaratskhelia can be an exceptional addition for the Blues, doubtlessly turning into their very own model of one of many main stars in European soccer over the previous few years.
Why Kvaratskhelia could possibly be Chelsea’s personal model of Mbappe
French star Kylian Mbappé is a participant each membership on the earth should want they’d, 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 goals in 264 matches – an exceptional report, together with his greatest season coming throughout his ultimate 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 continued season, already scoring 14 times for his new outfit – sustaining his standing as one in all 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 slicing inside onto his proper foot off the left – replicating the ability set of Mbappé.
On account of his shows for Napoli this season, he’s been ranked as a similar player 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 up to now |
||
---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) |
Kvaratskhelia |
Mbappé |
Video games performed |
17 |
17 |
Objectives & 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 “one of the best dribblers in the world” by analyst Max Statman, has averaged more progressive carries and passes per 90 – showcasing his potential to take the ball into ahead areas.
He’s additionally produced more shot-creating actions, while matching Mbappé for tried take-ons, demonstrating how he could possibly 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 bought the standard to be price each penny, additional boosting the membership’s prime 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 one in all their English rivals doubtlessly benefitting from their failure to safe a deal.
Associated
Maresca could form Chelsea’s new Terry & Cahill by signing £70m star
Chelsea might signal a £70m star to companion Colwill and recreate the membership’s well-known Terry & Cahill duo.