With January just around the corner, transfer links are really hotting up, and that includes Chelsea, despite a really large and solid squad already in place.
It gets harder and harder to believe some links simply because we’ve got at least two good players in every position, and are likely looking to climb out of a PSR and FFP deficit at the moment rather than dig deeper into it.
However it may be that the sporting structure have seen the unexpectedly rapid progress this season and decided this is a chance to capitalise, especially with our chances of qualifying for the Champions League improving every week as we pick up good results and the teams around us look more and more vulnerable.
So it’s no surprise to see another full back linked to the club. CaughtOffside today throw Maxim De Cuyper into the mix as a potential target for numerous teams including Arsenal, Tottenham – and the Blues.
Versatile, experienced and potentially cheap full back could be a bargain option
Maxim De Cuyper playing for Belgium. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Maxim De Cuyper playing for Belgium. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Despite being a full back, the Club Brugge is incredibly productive in attack – he has 42 assists and 27 goals in 190 career games. He’s played mainly on the left, but can also play on the right. It’s easy to see how handy he would be as a squad player.
Having just turned 24 over the weekend, he’s a little older than the standard profile of player we’ve been signing in recent years – but that extra age and experience means he could slot into most teams right away rather than need time to develop or adapt.
Valued at just €12m on Transfermarkt, he looks like a bargain ready to step up to the Premier League – the question is whether it’s Chelsea who take the plunge.