Chelsea set sights on “considered one of Europe’s most in-form CFs”

This time final week, Chelsea regarded like they’d be those to rival Arsenal for the Premier League title.

Sadly, a humbling loss away to Leeds United, rapidly adopted by a colorless one-all draw away to Bournemouth, has put such concepts to mattress, for now anyway.

Whereas Enzo Maresca’s squad is undeniably proficient, some areas might be improved upon, such because the quantity 9 place.

Fortuitously, Chelsea at the moment are being linked with somebody who might just do that, somebody who might be an improve on Liam Delap.

Chelsea goal Delap improve

The switch window is now lower than a month away from reopening, and in a shock to utterly no person, Chelsea are already being linked with a bunch of gamers.

For instance, the Blues have been considered one of a lot of sides linked with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo.

Likewise, RB Leipzig’s extremely thrilling Castello Lukeba has been touted for a £53m transfer to Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, whereas the 2 defenders will surely bolster Maresca’s squad, neither one might or would displace Delap or Joao Pedro up high, not like Joaquín Panichelli.

Sure, based on a latest report from Spain, Chelsea are one of some Premier League golf equipment within the RC Strasbourg striker.

Alongside the West Londoners, the report has revealed that West Ham United and Aston Villa have set their sights on the Argentine striker.

The report doesn’t reveal how a lot the £28k-per-week star may cost, however contemplating his contract runs till the summer season of 2030, he is unlikely to be low-cost.

Even so, Chelsea ought to do what they will to signal Panichelli, as he might be the striker to actually take them ahead, even when that is dangerous information for Delap.

How Panichelli compares to Delap

Now it’d sound simplistic, and that is as a result of it’s, however the first and most vital metric to check when two strikers is output.

Sadly for Delap, that is an space that Panichelli has him beat, and comfortably at that.

For instance, thus far this season, the Argentine, whom U23 scout Antonio Mango has dubbed “probably the most in-form Strikers in Europe,” has scored ten targets in 19 appearances, totalling 1367 minutes.

In different phrases, the Córdoba-born gem is averaging a purpose involvement each 1.9 video games, or each 136.7 minutes.

In stark distinction, the Blues’ summer season signing has scored only a single purpose in 11 appearances, totalling 453 minutes.

The following benefit that the previous Deportivo Alavés star has over the Englishman is the truth that he appears to be much less injury-prone.

For instance, whereas he did endure a major ACL harm within the 23/24 season, which stored him out for twenty-four video games, he solely missed one recreation within the entirety of final season, and thus far this yr, he is missed only one.

Alternatively, the previous Ipswich City star suffered a knee harm that stored him out for 18 video games in 23/24

Moreover, thus far this yr, he has already missed 12 matches on account of a hamstring drawback, and now his present shoulder harm.

Lastly, the Winchester-born ace does not even have the benefit of being considerably youthful and subsequently possessing a better ceiling, as he is presently 22 years previous and the Strasbourg star solely turned 23 two months in the past.

Finally, Panichelli is clearly a extra harmful ahead and, on high of that, appears to be injured much less usually. Due to this fact, Chelsea ought to do what they will to signal him in 2026, even when that spells the tip of Delap’s time at Stamford Bridge.

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