It’s been all change for Chelsea this summer season, after a season by which they narrowly missed out on a number of trophies, however managed to qualify for a European competitors as soon as once more.
Nevertheless, it was not sufficient to maintain Mauricio Pochettino within the job.
Following his sacking on the finish of Might, the Blues board turned their consideration to discovering a brand new supervisor to take them into the 2024/25 season, choosing Leicester Metropolis supervisor Enzo Maresca, who led the Foxes again to the highest flight on the first try.
The Italian has wasted no time in instantly bolstering his new aspect, as he makes an attempt to steer the membership by means of the transitional interval to attempt to return to the Premier League’s high 4.
He’s already added centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo and central midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor to his Blues squad, bringing the latter with him from Leicester Metropolis this summer season.
Regardless of the current additions, Maresca continues to be seeking to enhance his aspect, together with the addition of 1 participant who has beforehand impressed within the Premier League.
In accordance with journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea have held talks with Barcelona’s Brazilian winger Raphinha over a transfer to Stamford Bridge this summer season.
The 27-year-old has always been linked with a transfer again to the Premier League after his stint with Leeds United, however might lastly be set for a return to England in the course of the low season.
He’s discovered sport time onerous to come back by after the emergence of 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal, who gained the Younger Participant of the Event on the current European Championships.
Raphinha managed 37 appearances in all competitions final season, however is eager on a return to the Premier League, with the Spanish giants demanding a price within the area of £50m for his companies this summer season.
His potential arrival in west London might see a slight change in place for Cole Palmer, however, it might enable the England worldwide to succeed in the subsequent degree.
Why Raphinha’s arrival might enable Maresca to relocate Palmer
22-year-old Palmer loved his finest marketing campaign thus far in 2023/24, contributing with 33 targets and assists, probably the most of any participant within the Premier League.
He loved arguably his finest sport taking part in within the quantity 10 function behind the striker, scoring 4 targets towards Everton within the Blues’ 6-0 victory at Stamford Bridge again in April.
Nevertheless, he’s spent many of the 2023/24 marketing campaign that includes on the right-hand aspect, but Raphinha’s potential arrival might enable for a change in function for the England worldwide – with the Barca man sometimes working on that flank.
When evaluating the pair on FBref, Raphinha who’s beforehand been dubbed a “phenomenon” by Tottenham full-back Emerson Royal, has produced some spectacular stats, a few of that are a lot larger than even Palmer might muster.
While he produced fewer mixed targets and assists final season, the Brazilian managed extra pictures per 90 alongside the next tally of shot-creating actions than Palmer.
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How Raphinha in comparison with Palmer in 2023/24 |
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|---|---|---|
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Statistics |
Raphinha |
Palmer |
|
Video games |
28 |
34 |
|
Targets + assists |
15 |
33 |
|
Pictures per 90 |
3.8 |
3.4 |
|
Shot-creating actions per 90 |
5.9 |
5.6 |
|
Take-on success |
52% |
50% |
|
Aerials gained |
64% |
20% |
|
Stats through FBref |
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Raphinha additionally averaged a larger take-on success fee, profitable extra aerial duels, doubtlessly including a unique possibility for Maresca’s aspect within the last third, boosting their probabilities of returning to the Champions League locations.
While the Blues might face competitors from a number of different Premier League sides, it could be an enormous addition and a press release signing for Maresca.
The membership might have been specializing in recruiting children for the long run in current months, but when they’re to have an instantaneous affect and return to the highest finish of the Premier League, they have to additionally take into account additions reminiscent of Raphinha who will make an instantaneous affect at Stamford Bridge.
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He is been attracting curiosity from quite a few Premier League sides this summer season.