Chelsea want to sign £80m star

Chelsea are usually not in need of attacking choices of their present squad.

Enzo Maresca has a humiliation of riches at his disposal within the ahead areas, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson all key gamers at Stamford Bridge.

There’s additionally an opportunity Jadon Sancho joins the membership completely this summer time, along with his purchase clause activating over the weekend. He has made an actual impression over the previous few weeks, as has Tyrique George, who has damaged into the primary group from the academy, notably scoring his first top-flight aim final weekend at Craven Cottage.

But, the Blues need extra in ahead areas. It looks like they are going to look to signal a brand new winger within the 2025 summer time window, and have been linked with somebody who may additional elevate their attacking choices.

Chelsea’s attacking shortlist this summer time

With Jackson now on a run of 13 video games with no aim it is going to come as no shock that Chelsea are hoping so as to add a striker to their ranks this summer time.

One title that stands out is Newcastle’s Alexander Isak whereas a less expensive various may very well be Ipswich City striker, Liam Delap, based on stories.

Nicely, not simply content material with bolstering their central areas, they may additionally signal a winger from Barcelona.

One of the crucial thrilling groups to look at this season has been Hansi Flick’s Barca facet. Their entrance three has been dominant, with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal two key gamers, alongside Raphinha.

Nicely, based on TBR Soccer, it’s the Brazilian who Chelsea are fascinated by signing over the summer time. They’ve reportedly been informed there’s a probability to signal him this summer time, and are considered ‘enormous admirers’ of the winger.

Nevertheless, there shall be competitors for his signature if there’s a probability the Blues can signal Raphinha. Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool are additionally ‘being stored knowledgeable about his scenario’. It’s reported that intermediaries have informed the three English golf equipment that an £80m supply may very well be sufficient.

Why Raphinha can be an excellent signing

It has been a sensational season for Raphinha in 2024/25. He has been the spearhead of a Barca assault that has dominated Europe. That they had amassed 100 targets in simply 32 video games by February, and have now far exceeded that quantity.

As for the previous Leeds star, he has a rare 30 targets and 23 assists in 48 appearances thus far this season. In La Liga, he’s notched up a powerful tally of 26 aim involvements in 30 appearances.

Nevertheless, it’s the Champions League the place he has actually thrived. The “unplayable” star, as Statman Dave known as him, has 19 targets and assists this time period, greater than another participant, together with a hat-trick towards Flick’s former facet, Bayern Munich.

Raphinha’s performances this season have been so good that Owen Hargreaves, former Manchester United midfielder, thinks he’s a “revelation”. Hargreaves additionally stated on TNT Sport that he thinks the Brazilian is “within the lead for the Ballon d’Or” on the finish of the 12 months.

The underlying stats through FBref from Raphinha’s unimaginable marketing campaign present simply how properly he has performed. For instance, the previous Leeds United star averages 1.11 targets and assists and 0.84 goal-creating actions per sport. They rank him within the prime 2% and 4% of attackers in Europe’s prime 5 leagues, respectively.

Thus, ought to the Blues carry Raphinha to the membership, there may be each probability he may find yourself turning into their greatest attacker since Eden Hazard.

Has there ever been a greater ahead in Chelsea historical past than Hazard? Nicely, that comes down to private choice, however former Blues participant turned pundit Pat Nevin known as him a “world-class” operator again in 2019. Since his exit, no extensive participant at Stamford Bridge has scored greater than his 16-goal Premier League haul from 2018/19 and Raphinha is streets forward of that already in Catalonia.

Hazard was actually unbelievable in that well-known Blue shirt, scoring 110 targets and helping an extra 85 in 310 appearances for the membership.

A sensational dribbler, he may usually be seen working rings round opposition defenders earlier than bearing down on aim or discovering a teammate, because the video exhibits.

If Raphinha may replicate what Hazard did at Stamford Bridge, he’d be an instantaneous success. The standard is there, of that there is no such thing as a doubt, and his pure targets and help numbers are sensational this season.

It will be some coup for Chelsea, and if they may carry the Brazil worldwide again to the Premier League, it will be an actual assertion signing forward of 2025/26.