Heading towards the summer transfer window, Chelsea will know the need to bring in reinforcements. More quality is needed all across the pitch. But it might not be pronounced anywhere more than the left flank. It has been a problem position for the Blues ever since Eden Hazard left the club in 2019 to join Real Madrid.
Last summer, Chelsea spent around €100 million trying to strengthen the left flank. Alejandro Garnacho arrived from Manchester United. Jamie Gittens was brought in from Borussia Dortmund. Both failed to meet expectations.
Now, Garnacho could already be on his way out. And if the right offer came, one would imagine that club would be willing to part ways with Gittens as well, who has looked injury-prone, raw and nowhere near ready.
On the other hand, Chelsea have been linked with quite a few wingers lately. One of them is Said El Mala of FC Koln. But according to ESPN, Brentford have tabled a bid in the region of £40 million for the German youth international.
Brentford make bid for Chelsea’s rumoured target
This was El Mala’s first season of football in the top flight. And he must have impressed everybody with his output.
El Mala scored 13 goals and provided five assists, despite making just 20 starts. That just goes to show the level of talent and efficiency at even this early point in his career. One can only imagine how good he could with a bit of more experience under his belt.
So, for someone with El Mala’s debut campaign, the £40 million transfer bid seems in line with modern standards. Now, it remains to be seen if Chelsea will try to enter the race or stay away from it.
Chelsea linked with another Bundesliga winger
It is worth pointing out that El Mala is not the only breakout Bundesliga winger to be linked with Chelsea in recent times. Another one of them is Yan Diomande.
Diomande has been brilliant for RB Leipzig. He has put up similar numbers as El Mala in front of goal but has been even better on the creative side of things. He is also a better dribbler than the FC Koln man.
That being said, the transfer fee is also going to be much higher to sign him. Probably even twice as much. RB Leipzig are expected to look for around €100 million, if not more.
Sourav Mahanty
Sourav Mahanty has covered teams like Chelsea, Celtic, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and more over a career that has now lasted a decade. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Athlon Sports, SB Nation, FanSided, The Sportster and aggregated through Bleacher Report and NewsNow. Outside of football, he is also interested in basketball, cricket and professional wrestling.
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