Questions have been requested about Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca throughout his spell in cost after being appointed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor final summer time.
The Italian led Leicester Metropolis again to the Premier League, however jumped ship to take over at Stamford Bridge, with many questioning whether or not he could be the appropriate man for the job.
Nevertheless, almost 12 months on from his appointment, he’s exceeded all expectations, showcasing he’s the appropriate man for the job based mostly on his success to this point.
The 45-year-old has secured the Blues a spot within the Champions League for subsequent season, while additionally claiming Europa Convention League glory towards Actual Betis on Wednesday night time.
It’s been a marketing campaign to recollect for Maresca, but when he needs to proceed his progress within the position, he’ll want added funds offered by the hierarchy to assist him in his quest.
The most recent on Chelsea’s hunt for brand spanking new signings this summer time
Over the past couple of hours, Chelsea have made enormous strides in a deal to signal Liam Delap, with the 22-year-old agreeing to a transfer to affix the Blues this summer time.
It was confirmed that he has rejected presents from a number of different Premier League sides, leaving Maresca’s facet to set off his launch clause and full the formalities earlier than saying his transfer to West London.
Nevertheless, regardless of the progress made on a deal for the Ipswich City star, one other identify within the type of Viktor Gyokeres has as soon as once more entered the combination, in line with Document Portugal.
The report claims that the Blues have made an enquiry to signal the 26-year-old this summer time, after his stupendous document of 54 objectives in simply 52 matches throughout all competitions.
It additionally states that they face stern competitors from Juventus for the Swedish worldwide’s signature, with Sporting CP demanding a charge within the area of £60m to half methods with the talisman this window.
Why Chelsea’s £60m goal could be a greater signing than Delap
With Delap’s transfer showing to be shifting nearer to completion, Maresca might lastly be about to land the brand new striker that he’s been craving in latest months.
Nicolas Jackson has been his fundamental talisman since his arrival, with the Senegalese worldwide scoring 10 occasions within the Premier League in the course of the Italian’s first yr in cost.
Such a document is respectable, but when the facet are to succeed in the subsequent stage below his steerage, they are going to want that confirmed goalscorer to fireplace them in direction of the highest finish of the desk.
Delap has proven he’s able to doing simply that, scoring 12 occasions within the Premier League for the Tractor Boys, with such a document being a formidable one given their relegation this season.
Nevertheless, when evaluating his stats to these of Gyokeres, the Swede has showcased that his efficiency ranges are night time and day – proving that he could be a much better addition than the Englishman.
The Swede, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has massively outscored him in 2024/25, while additionally posting a larger shot on the right track price – showcasing the scientific nature he possesses.
He’s additionally managed to full extra of the passes he’s tried, while additionally registering extra progressive carries per 90 – having the skillset at hand different gamers round him the perfect likelihood of enhancing their very own tallies.
|
How Gyokeres compares to Delap in 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Gyokeres |
Delap |
|
Video games performed |
33 |
37 |
|
Targets & assists |
46 |
14 |
|
Shot-on-target accuracy |
52% |
43% |
|
Go accuracy |
72% |
61% |
|
Progressive carries |
4.3 |
2.1 |
|
Take-ons accomplished |
1.9 |
1.3 |
|
Aerials received |
51% |
42% |
|
Fouls received |
2.5 |
1.7 |
|
Stats by way of FBref |
||
Gyokeres has additionally received extra of the aerials he’s entered and attracts extra fouls, providing Maresca that point of interest he’s craved, one thing which Delap could wrestle to offer.
Given the progress on the deal for the Ipswich talisman, the hierarchy must act rapidly to finish a deal for Gyokeres, or they may doubtlessly miss out on his signature.
Nothing means that the membership could not goal each skills within the coming months, handing the Blues an added dimension in ahead areas that would bolster their title cost in 2025/26.
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