Each Chelsea fan might be loving life on the minute, with boss Enzo Maresca working wonders throughout his first few months at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian has guided the Blues to second place after the primary 14 matches of the marketing campaign, sitting simply seven factors off leaders Liverpool after their spectacular latest run of type.
His facet are unbeaten in seven Premier League matches, claiming an enormous 5-1 victory in opposition to relegation strugglers Southampton on Wednesday evening.
Maresca has applied a phenomenal attacking system that has led to 31 objectives thus far this season – essentially the most of any facet at present in England’s top-flight.
Nonetheless, he might be about so as to add additional firepower to his attacking division, probably catapulting the membership into an surprising title cost within the closing months of 2024/25.
Chelsea concentrating on January transfer for £67m star
In accordance with CaughtOffside, Chelsea are concentrating on a deal for a brand new striker within the January window, with a plethora of names put into the combination over a possible transfer to West London.
Nonetheless, one participant they seem like occupied with is Juventus talisman Dušan Vlahović, after the Serbian’s wonderful begin to the marketing campaign which has seen him notch 9 objectives in his first 16 appearances in all competitions.
They’d face competitors from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal facet, with the Spaniard additionally seeking to clear up their drawback place to spice up their very own title ambitions.
Any deal for the 24-year-old could be an costly one, with the report claiming that it could take a charge within the area of €75m (£67m) for the Italian giants to half with their star attacker.
While on the face of it, it might be one other large sum for Todd Boehly to fork out, any deal for the towering ace could be nicely well worth the price ticket, particularly given his comparability to considered one of Europe’s main strikers in latest occasions.
Why Vlahovic could be Chelsea’s personal Haaland
Manchester Metropolis striker Erling Haaland has been a dominant pressure in recent times, offering a continuing supply of objectives for Pep Guardiola’s males within the league and Europe.
The Norwegian has registered 107 objectives in his 118 appearances for the Residents, serving to them lastly finish their watch for a Champions League title again in 2022/23.
Haaland has additionally smashed all of the English data, scoring 36 occasions in the identical season, writing his title into historical past, and turning into the holder of essentially the most objectives scored in a single 38-game marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, after Vlahovic’s personal spectacular begin to 2024/25, he’s been deemed as the same participant to the Metropolis star by FBref – an enormous assertion given the type of the previous Borussia Dortmund talisman.
When delving into their respective figures from the continued season, the Serbian has matched or bettered Haaland in quite a few key areas, resulting in Italian legend Christian Vieri beforehand labelling him as “the most effective younger abilities on this planet”.
The “phenomenal” Juve attacker, as dubbed by journalist Ollie Spencer, might have registered fewer mixed objectives and assists, however has proven his capability to be that focus the Blues have been craving because the summer season, profitable extra of his aerial duels.
How Dušan Vlahović compares to Erling Haaland in 2024/25 |
||
---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) |
Vlahovic |
Haaland |
Video games performed |
12 |
14 |
Targets & assists |
6 |
13 |
Progressive passes |
0.8 |
0.6 |
Progressive carries |
0.7 |
0.6 |
Cross completion fee |
70% |
69% |
Aerials received |
1.4 |
1.1 |
Aerials success fee |
47% |
42% |
Stats by way of FBref |
He’s additionally accomplished extra progressive carries and progressive passes per 90, providing an all-round possibility that would permit the likes of Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke to proceed to bolster their very own goalscoring tallies along with his service and hold-up play.
A carry is taken into account progressive if the ball is moved in the direction of the opponent’s objective not less than 10 yards from its place to begin or is carried into the penalty space.
While, on the face of it, any deal for Vlahovic could be one other large funding, he could be an possibility that would rework Maresca’s choices within the ultimate third.
Nobody might’ve predicted the Blues’ mega begin to the league season, with any deal for the ahead solely enhancing their probabilities of both reaching the highest 4 or doing the unthinkable and claiming title glory.
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