Chelsea lead race to signal Strasbourg defender forward of Premier League rivalsChelsea eye Strasbourg full-back forward of 2025
Chelsea have moved into pole place to signal Strasbourg right-back Guela Doue, with scouts from the Premier League membership current through the French aspect’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Paris Saint-Germain final weekend, in line with . Doue, who registered an help in that match, is quick turning into one among Ligue 1’s standout younger defenders.
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The 21-year-old Ivorian has impressed along with his athleticism, consistency, and attacking contribution, and Chelsea’s curiosity is unsurprising given their shared possession with Strasbourg below the BlueCo group. That connection has already seen a number of gamers transfer between the 2 golf equipment, permitting the Blues to trace rising expertise intently.
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Competitors from Premier League rivals
Whereas Chelsea are understood to be main the race, Shoot notes that Brighton, Brentford, and Aston Villa are additionally conserving an in depth watch on Doue’s improvement. Every membership is conscious that his performances in France have been attracting important consideration, notably following a season through which he has supplied two assists and develop into a fixture in Strasbourg’s beginning eleven.
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Doue’s contract runs till 2029, giving Strasbourg the benefit in any negotiations. Studies recommend the French aspect will demand in extra of £25 million for the defender, a value reflective of each his potential and the leverage of his long-term deal.
Chelsea’s continued squad evolution
Enzo Maresca’s aspect have made optimistic strides in latest weeks, successful in opposition to Liverpool and Nottingham Forest within the Premier League and securing their first Champions League victory of the marketing campaign over Benfica. But recruitment stays central to the membership’s long-term imaginative and prescient, notably in defensive areas.
Doue’s profile matches neatly inside Chelsea’s switch mannequin below BlueCo possession: younger, dynamic, and technically sound. Scouts have been tasked with figuring out gamers able to rising into first-team roles over time, and Doue’s kind in France suggests he might observe that pathway.
Photograph IMAGO
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Constructing for the long run
Since becoming a member of Strasbourg from Rennes, Doue has made 39 appearances throughout all competitions, contributing two targets and 4 assists. His progress has been fast, and along with his mixture of tempo, defensive consciousness, and creativity, he has emerged as one of the crucial promising full-backs in Ligue 1.
With Chelsea’s defensive unit nonetheless evolving below Maresca, Doue represents each a long-term funding and a possible first-team possibility. Whether or not the membership strikes decisively in January or waits till subsequent summer season will rely upon Strasbourg’s valuation, however the groundwork for a deal seems effectively underway.
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Chelsea followers have gotten accustomed to seeing younger skills like Doue linked to Stamford Bridge, and there’s cautious optimism that such strikes might safe the membership’s future in key positions.
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Nonetheless, some supporters may categorical frustration on the quantity of developmental signings reasonably than established additions. With Reece James nonetheless and Malo Gusto performing effectively, right-back shouldn’t be a right away precedence. That stated, Doue’s arrival might guarantee depth and succession planning, particularly given James’s historical past of accidents.
Many Chelsea followers will even see this as an encouraging signal of integration between the 2 BlueCo golf equipment. Strasbourg’s capability to nurture younger gamers might develop into a significant extension of Chelsea’s improvement system, notably for gamers not but prepared for the Premier League.
For now, the main focus will stay on outcomes below Maresca, however strikes like this underline the broader technique at play: investing in tomorrow’s expertise to construct a sustainable, aggressive squad able to difficult in England and Europe for years to come back.