Chelsea is in the process of revamping a team that drastically underperformed in the Premier League last season, and new manager Mauricio Pochettino may be looking to add another striker.
Chelsea has so far acquired whom?
With 28 goals scored between them in the Bundesliga and La Liga last season, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have already been added to the Blues’ roster this summer. Teenage wingers Angelo Gabriel and Diego Moreira have also arrived from Santos and Benfica, respectively.
These additions have assisted in balancing out the exits of several players, including Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Kai Havertz, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Christian Pulisic.
Before the transfer window ends on September 1st, Chelsea are rumored to have made Moises Caicedo’s acquisition their main priority. However, Brighton & Hove Albion are still being stubborn.
When it comes to adding another attacking player, Pochettino might have more luck, according to L’Equipe, who believes that Chelsea is considering a bid for Montpellier star Elye Wahi, who is valued at over €30 million (£26 million).
Elye Wahi, a striker for Montpellier, is how old?
Wahi, who turned 20 just a few months ago, is already a seasoned Ligue 1 player thanks to his 84 appearances for Montpellier, including 33 last season as La Paillade ended 12th.
Wahi was directly involved in 24 goals across those 33 games (19 of his own and five assists), which puts him on a par with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar. Indeed, only six others in the French top flight could better that tally – Kylian Mbappe (34) and Lionel Messi (32) among them.
Wahi appears to be a bargain on the surface given his age, his already-demonstrated skill, and a fair price. In fTheng man might even be a better choice than Jackson to conceivably assist Nkunku should he show up, or even step in for him.
Last season, the France U21 international outperformed Jackson by seven league goals, scoring at a rate of 0.68 goals per 90 minutes as opposed to Jackson’s 0.67 goals per 90.
While there is not much difference between the two when it comes to carries (19.2 vs. 19.5 respectively), Wahi was significantly more accurate in terms of shooting accuracy, hitting the target from 58.1% of his attempts compared to Jackson’s 56.1.
Wahi wins 20.4% of his aerial duels, compared to Jackson’s 30.2%, but Wahi’s game is more focused on speed and power. Jackson does offer a greater aerial danger.
That’s not to suggest Jackson isn’t a great player, but Wahi, who won’t turn 21 until next January, is already listed in the top 11% of all forwards in the top five leagues in Europe for goals scored in the previous season, according to The Analyst.
Wahi, who was called a “real beast” by Diario AS reporter Andres Onrubia Ramos, will undoubtedly be eager to get started if Chelsea is successful in luring him to the club.
Don’t rule out him contending for a regular starting position as Pochettino’s Stamford Bridge renaissance continues based on what he has previously demonstrated in France.