Chelsea are set for a busy summer period. Not only is it the transfer window, but Enzo Maresca’s side will be one of 32 teams competing in the new-look Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States of America, beginning in mid-June.
The Blues’ three group stage opponents are Mexican outfit Club Leon, Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis and Brazilian giants Flamengo. Other sides from Europe competing include Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, so the West Londoners are certainly not considered favourites.
Chelsea
However, with the transfer window set to open early, on the 1st of June, it gives Chelsea a chance to bolster their side before the tournament begins. They could be in line to make a real statement signing.
Chelsea's major summer target
There is no doubt that the Blues’ squad already has plenty of firepower in attacking areas. The likes of Cole Palmer is someone who springs to mind, but Chelsea could be about to get even stronger in attacking areas.
FFC Header Transfer Focus
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, according to Wednesday's print edition of Spanish paper, Sport, the West London outfit are one of the sides set to make a serious move for Rodrygo this summer. They are thought to have made contact with the Real Madrid star recently.
rodrygo-real-madrid
However, they will face competition in order to bring the Brazilian to Stamford Bridge. Premier League rivals Man City are also in the race to sign him.
A report on Tuesday from Football Insider stated Rodrygo could cost £85m this summer, a hefty fee for either Premier League side chasing him.
Why Rodrygo could be Chelsea's best winger since Hazard
If Chelsea manage to convince Rodrygo to swap the Spanish capital for the English capital, then it would be an astronomical signing.
He has been important for Real Madrid once again this season, in what has been a campaign of much disappointment for Los Blancos, who will almost certainly go trophyless after winning the UEFA Super Cup back in August.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo looks on
The Brazil international has amassed 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and grabbing ten assists in that time. However, he has gone 12 games in La Liga without a goal or assist, after a run of eight goal involvements in five games.
Regardless, the 24-year-old is certainly a “big game player” as Dougie Critchley described him. Just this season, he has scored a crucial goal in the Champions League last 16 against Atletico Madrid, and has found the back of the net in one of the El Clasico's.
The attacker has some excellent underlying stats from this season via FBref, too. Per 90 minutes, he averages 4.49 shot-creating actions and 2.04 key passes, both of which rank him in the top 3% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues.
Rodrygo key stats vs. forwards in last 365 days
Stat (per 90)
Key passes
Progressive passes
Shot-creating actions
Take-ons completed
Progressive carries
Stats from FBref
With numbers like that, Rodrygo could certainly become Chelsea’s best winger since a certain Eden Hazard graced the Bridge. The Belgian legend departed the club in 2019, having made 352 appearances, scoring 110 goals and grabbing 89 assists.
hazard-chelsea-arsenal
It is not hard to pinpoint exactly which Premier League season was the 34-year-old’s best at Stamford Bridge. In his final campaign, he played 37 top-flight games, contributing an outrageous 16 goals and 15 assists.
Since his departure, however, the Blues have struggled to find a replacement for their former number 10, though not for lack of trying. They have spent hundreds of millions of pounds trying to make up for the loss of their talisman.
Raheem Sterling’s 14 Premier League goals are the most by a winger since Hazard left, with Noni Madueke currently on 13 and Timo Werner, who managed ten, the only other players in double figures. No winger has come remotely near his high standards.
Every Chelsea winger since Hazard (timeless)
However, it seems as though Rodrygo, if the deal gets done, could finally be the player to replace Hazard. For example, his best season in terms of average key passes per game was 3.1 in 2017/18, according to Sofascore, which is not much more than Rodrygo’s current tally of 2.04.
£85m is a huge investment, but signing Rodrygo could be the addition they need to finally replace Hazard, after what will be six years of trying. He is a genuine goalscorer and a huge creative threat, and could be the man to take on the mantle of an all-time Chelsea great.
Osimhen-Chelsea Related
[A better signing than Osimhen: Chelsea in talks to land the "next Haaland"](https://www.footballfancast.com/better-signing-than-osimhen-chelsea-in-talks-for-benjamin-sesko/ "A better signing than Osimhen: Chelsea in talks to land the "next Haaland"")
Chelsea appear to be making moves to land a star who would be better than Victor Osimhen.