Whether or not they’d prefer to admit it or not, are in a title race.
The Blues went into Christmas 4 factors off prime spot. Regardless that league leaders had a sport in hand, this hole represents the expansion they’ve made beneath Enzo Maresca.
However Chelsea nonetheless have fairly a younger squad and, with cash at their disposal, the Blues will at all times be linked with signing new gamers.
“For us, the principle focus is we’ve got a transparent concept about gamers,” Maresca instructed reporters this month about January signings.
“We might have gamers who aren’t taking part in loads who might go away, however on this second it’s not one thing we take note of. We’ve got three video games earlier than that then we’ll see.”
So, who might the Blues signal?
Marcus Rashford
The plain title being linked to lots of golf equipment this winter will likely be Marcus Rashford. The Englishman seems more likely to go away Manchester United in January, with studies suggesting the Purple Devils wish to transfer him on.
Rashford himself has mentioned: “For me, personally, I believe I’m prepared for a brand new problem and the subsequent steps.”
It does look unlikely that Rashford will be part of one other Premier League facet, however Chelsea have been linked with the Englishman up to now. Simply this summer time, Rashford was being touted with a transfer to Stamford Bridge, although Jadon Sancho ended up being the one to change Manchester for London. In Rashford, Chelsea would have a person able to taking part in a number of positions of their assault. Which is one thing Maresca might cherish.
For the reason that begin of the 2017-18 Premier League marketing campaign, Rashford has performed simply over half of his minutes on the left wing. Left wing is maybe the very best route into the Chelsea workforce too, with Sancho nearly edging Joao Felix for that beginning spot in the meanwhile.
Rashford’s 23% of minutes by means of the center would even be good for Chelsea if Nicolas Jackson isn’t accessible, with the Blues striker nonetheless a tad liable to a yellow card. In truth, Pedro Neto on the fitting is liable to a yellow too, so Rashford’s 23% of minutes on that flank might additionally show key.
And, in fact, Chelsea followers might wish to see Rashford of their squad simply so he can’t rating towards them. The Englishman has six targets in 20 video games towards Chelsea, solely netting extra towards two different golf equipment in his senior profession.
Viktor Gyokeres
The opposite massive title on everybody’s lips this winter is Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker has been tearing defences aside within the Primeira Liga since shifting to Sporting CP in 2023.
Gyokeres has scored 70 targets in 76 video games for Sporting CP throughout all competitions, serving to them win the league in 2023-24. To date this season, he’s already scored 18 targets within the Primeira Liga and added one other 5 within the Champions League.
The 26-year-old is the highest scorer in Europe’s prime seven leagues, and solely Erling Haaland (12) has scored extra from open play. Gyokeres sits third for photographs (70) and photographs on track (33), and second for Anticipated Targets (15.58) and Anticipated Targets on Goal (15.41). However he does lead with 17 massive probabilities scored.
In case some might have forgotten, Gyokeres is a person with historical past in England. He performed eight instances for Brighton, although by no means featured within the Premier League, and scored 43 targets in 116 video games for Coventry Metropolis.
Chelsea do have Jackson main their line and most would advise them to stay with the Senegalese striker, who continues to develop beneath Maresca. But when they need somebody to make an on the spot impression, the Blues could possibly be persuaded.
Jordan Pickford
One downside place for Chelsea this season remains to be the goalkeeper. The Blues have struggled to get a stable No.1 since Thibaut Courtois, who they used to switch Petr Cech. After years of getting two of the very best goalkeepers of their time, Chelsea are a degree beneath their rivals on this place.
Robert Sanchez is the person at the moment trusted between the sticks within the Premier League. However whereas he has saved Chelsea just a few instances this season, the Spaniard has additionally value his facet — inflicting frustration for lots of Chelsea followers.
Jordan Pickford is a reputation that has been linked with Chelsea in latest weeks. However the Blues might lose any battle earlier than it actually begins amid studies that are set to supply the Englishman a brand new contract.
There could also be some recency bias concerned, as Pickford introduced Chelsea’s successful Premier League run to an finish with 4 saves in a goalless draw. However he continues to show himself a constantly dependable goalkeeper throughout the years.
This season, Pickford has stored seven clear sheets within the Premier League, with no goalkeeper managing extra. He’s made 49 saves and conceded 22 targets, from 22.22 Anticipated Targets on Goal conceded. And he saved two penalties, lately denying Haaland from the spot.
David Hancko
One other downside for Chelsea is their defence. In usually they’ve been a tad leaky, however it’s the place the place they’ve additionally struggled most for harm. For his or her Boxing Day sport towards Fulham, Chelsea solely had three senior centre-backs to name upon — Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi.
In response to studies, Chelsea are preserving their eye on Feyenoord defender David Hancko, who can also be reportedly a goal for .
The 27-year-old has been a stable member of Feyenoord’s defence since becoming a member of in 2022, serving to them to win the league title in his first season. This season, though Feyenoord sit fourth, their defence hasn’t been too unhealthy.
Hancko has accomplished 45 clearances up to now within the Eredivisie, successful possession 35 instances within the defensive third. He’s additionally gained possession 44 instances within the center third, sitting simply exterior the highest 10 there — spectacular stats for a centre-back.
Hancko is a powerful passer too, which Chelsea want. Just one participant has tried and accomplished extra last third passes than Hancko’s 320 and 250 within the Eredivisie this season. He additionally sits fourth for touches (1,641) within the Dutch prime flight.
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