Barcelona and Brazil icon Ronaldinhoplaceholder image
Barcelona and Brazil icon Ronaldinho | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea are always on the lookout for talented youngsters and they could pip Arsenal to a player who has been compared to the greatest of all time.
Enzo Maresca left Stamford Bridge, in part, due to a falling out due to Chelsea’s philosophy of signing and playing young, talented players.
This wasn’t the only reason why The Blues are on the lookout for a new manager, but it is a contributing factor. Maresca’s departure won’t change the club’s direction and quality has always been the most important factor when considering new players. According to The Mirror, Chelsea lead the way for a player compared to Lionel Messi and who their arch rivals nearly signed in the summer.
Chelsea steal a march for next Lionel Messi
Konstantinos Karetsas is Greece’s great hope. A 18-year old winger lighting up the Belgian Pro League and who had agreed a move to Arsenal in the summer. A £38m deal was never realised which means that Chelsea have the chance to sign one of Europe’s hottest prospects.
“Konstantinos Karetsas, 18, was born in Belgium but has recently switched his international football allegiance to Greece, the country of his parents' birth. The teenager currently plays for Genk, but it is only a matter of time before he is snapped up by one of European football's big guns.”
Karetsas names role models and it isn’t Messi
With two goals and 10 assists in 28 appearances, the teenage Greece international is in fine form after making his breakthrough last season. Using Data MB’s comparison model, Karetsas performs well and only needs to score more goals to have the sort of radar that a winger like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has.
Radar image of Genk's Konstantinos Karetsas' form for 2025/26.placeholder image
Radar image of Genk's Konstantinos Karetsas' form for 2025/26. | Data MB
Karetsas is known for his explosive dribbling technique and ability to drag defenders away, creating space for others. Tovima reported why the Genk maverick is so deadly with the ball at his feet with the player explaining who is inspiration is: “Before every match, I watch videos of my favourite players on YouTube—mostly Brazilians like Neymar and Ronaldinho. I also learn a lot from them because I am a very creative player. During training, I sometimes imitate their moves, and if they work, I try them in matches.”
To have 10 asssists already for the season demonstrates perfectly what Karetsas is capable of and Chelsea always has room for a winger that can beat their man and create chances for others. What would make signing him even better is knowing that Arsenal tried, and failed, to land him only a matter of months ago.
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