According to a recent report by The Telegraph, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side have been linked with moves for some of the most in-form players in European football, having only recently had their two-window transfer ban cut short to just one. The likes of Jadon Sancho, Wilfried Zaha, and Timo Werner have all been interesting the Blues, but it’s actually their interest in a couple of other low-key stars that could bear the most fruit.
Chelsea have reportedly registered interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey as well as Villarreal’s breakout sensation Samuel Chukwueze. Although Chelsea are suggested to have a £150m transfer budget for the winter, they needn’t spend all of it on a single player, and could instead move for the two budget options – Bailey and Chukwueze.
What would the duo add to this Chelsea side?
The Blues’ acquisition of American superstar Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund last winter has now turned out to be a pretty grand success. If it wasn’t for that signing, the Blues could be struggling to find any attacking creativity at this point in time.
While some will argue that signing a player like Sancho is the better option, the fact that Lampard can probably get two for the price of one elsewhere makes it an arguable bet.
Leon Bailey and Samuel Chukwueze are both tricky wingers who love to stick to the by-line on every possible opportunity. Supremely hard to take the ball off them, the duo’s best attribute is obviously their dribbling. Once in full flow, the pair of them can be extremely difficult to stop. They look well designed to shine in the Premier League.
Chelsea have made a living in the Premier League off tricky wingers in recent years, and it’s only fair that they begin to look for new ones in the new year.
Do Chelsea need these wingers right now?
The Blues’ struggles in front of goal have been no secret since the start of the campaign, and although the likes of Willian and Pulisic have stepped up to a certain extent, it’s not nearly as good as it should be for them to register a sustained run in the Champions League.
While Pulisic is still young and only getting accustomed to the English game, Willian is on the wrong side of his thirties.
Bailey and Chukwueze aren’t complete players yet for sure, but with a personality like Frank Lampard as the manager, even the most adamant players are bound to pick up the odd tip or two.
The inevitability of this sensational wing duo moving to the Premier League is beyond the Blues’ control. But what they can do is beat their rivals to what are sure to be some high-value signatures – all of it for under the price it would cost for Jadon Sancho.
Conclusion
Sancho is definitely the most enticing option Chelsea are linked to at the moment in terms of attacking options but that enticing fact also means that Chelsea are not the only club interested in the 19-year-old.
Former club Manchester City are also rumored to be in the chase for his signature as well as Liverpool, Manchester United and a host of other clubs. Hence, If Chelsea go all out for his signature and end up losing him to their rivals, It would be a major blow to all their transfer activity.
With the exception of his signature a certainty, Lampard must already have other options on the ground as alternatives, should the Sancho deal fail to materialize. Samuel Chukwueze and Leon Bailey might not have all the glitter like Sancho but surely they can easily get the job done as well.