Whereas the concept of ‘successful the switch window’ is a moderately nebulous one, it will be honest to say Chelsea are not less than within the operating this 12 months.
The Convention League champions have made a number of good gross sales already this summer season and have considerably bolstered Enzo Maresca’s core squad.
For instance, the likes of Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap will all deliver objectives to West London subsequent season and will assist fireplace the Blues into a real Premier League title race.
But, BlueCo aren’t finished there, as reviews are actually linking the membership with a world star who might be their very own reply to Rodrygo.
Chelsea star who might be their very own Rodrygo
Whereas Rodrygo has been touted for a transfer to Chelsea a number of instances this summer season, it has been their rivals who’ve been extra persistently linked with the Actual Madrid star, like Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Worryingly, the previous Santos gem is the form of participant who might critically enhance these sides, and with this price ticket showing to be across the £86m mark, it does not appear unrealistic that one in every of them will get their palms on him in some unspecified time in the future this summer season.
Nonetheless, the Blues devoted needn’t fear, because it now appears just like the membership are closing in on somebody who has been in comparison with the 24-year-old and might be Maresca’s personal model of him.
At the very least that is in line with a latest report from transfers knowledgeable Fabrizio Romano, who has reaffirmed that Chelsea are extremely keen on signing Xavi Simons this summer season.
Actually, the Italian journalist has revealed that talks between the West Londoners and RB Leipzig are actually at an “superior” stage and that the Dutchman has made it clear he “desires” the transfer.
Romano doesn’t point out a possible worth, however in line with different tales from this month, a price of round £61m must be sufficient to get the deal over the road, and whereas that’s some huge cash, it is value it for a participant of Simons’ high quality, particularly as he is been in comparison with Rodrygo.
How Simons compares to Rodrygo
Earlier than exploring different causes Chelsea ought to signal Simons as quickly as attainable, it is important to look at the comparability to Rodrygo and the place it comes from.
On this occasion, it stems from FBref, which analysed gamers in related positions within the Champions League final season and concluded that the Actual Madrid star was probably the most related attacking midfielder or winger to the Leipzig ace.
You possibly can achieve a greater understanding of how this conclusion was reached by analyzing the underlying numbers by which the pair ranked intently, together with however not restricted to, non-penalty anticipated objectives plus assists, photographs, key passes, tackles gained, profitable take-ons and extra, all per 90.
|
Simons & Rodrygo |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics per 90 |
Lopez |
Rodrygo |
|
Non-Penalty Anticipated G+As |
0.40 |
0.48 |
|
Pictures |
2.69 |
2.57 |
|
Key Passes |
1.89 |
1.65 |
|
Tackles Gained |
1.08 |
1.13 |
|
Blocks |
1.35 |
1.24 |
|
Profitable Take-Ons |
1.89 |
1.86 |
|
All Stats through FBref for the 24/25 UCL Marketing campaign |
||
These are encouraging metrics to share, as they not solely level to the previous PSV Eindhoven gem being somebody who can match the Brazilian’s artistic output but in addition his defensive work.
With that stated, whereas being in comparison with among the finest wingers on this planet is sensible, there are different the reason why Maresca and Co must be signing the 22-year-old this summer season, similar to his uncooked output.
For instance, in simply 33 appearances final season, totalling 2763 minutes, the Amsterdam-born “game-changer,” as expertise scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, scored 11 objectives and supplied eight assists.
In different phrases, the sensational expertise, who one analyst has dubbed “among the finest 10s on this planet,” managed to common a aim involvement each 1.73 video games, or each 144 minutes.
In the end, whereas he’ll value a reasonably penny, Chelsea must be doing all they will to signal Simons this summer season, as not solely might he be their reply to Rodrygo, however he might be even higher.
