Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Chelsea have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from Arsenal in the coming weeks – but Valentin Barco will be hoping Chelsea move on from the England ace.
With 11 new signings arriving at Chelsea this summer – five agreed before Xabi Alonso’s appointment and six since, including Pep Chavarria – it is unlikely Chelsea are going to do much more in the window.
Indeed, when Chavarria is confirmed, the Blues will have spent a whopping £350m on new signings. They include the record £117m fee for Morgan Rogers, but also a fee of £34m to sign Argentine ace Barco.
However, this is Chelsea and BlueCo we are talking about. Plenty are expected to leave the club, and that may leave a couple of gaps that require strengthening. Myles Lewis-Skelly is the latest to be linked.
Plenty of comparisons between Lewis-Skelly and Chelsea’s Barco
Arsenal’s signing of Bruno Guimaraes has reduced Lewis-Skelly’s chances of getting into Arsenal’s midfield reckoning. He’s already third choice at left-back, and Chelsea have been offered his services.
Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly on the ball
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Young with huge potential, already a member of his National Team, able to play both left-back and in midfield, and known for an aggressive, provoking personality, Lewis-Skelly and Barco are very alike.
Indeed, England fans saw Barco’s wind-up ability at the World Cup – the flame-haired midfielder running onto the pitch and celebrating in the faces of England’s players after Enzo Fernandez had scored.
Over in France, Barco has excelled with Strasbourg. Technically gifted, Barco has largely been playing in the middle of the park, but can play as a left-back. So, if Lewis-Skelly joins, does he replace Barco?
The stats prove Valentin Barco’s Chelsea future is in doubt
Below, we compare the duo’s league form for Strasbourg and Arsenal when both have been used in midfield. Lewis-Skelly keeps the ball better, but Barco is perhaps slightly more creative with the ball.
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Stat Metric (Per 90) Myles Lewis-Skelly Valentín Barco Tactical Advantage
Passes Completed / 90 68.4 56.2 Lewis-Skelly (Higher Volume)
Pass Completion % 92.8% 82.1% Lewis-Skelly (Retention & Control)
Progressive Passes / 90 4.62 7.15 Barco (Penetrative Line-Breaking)
Passes into Final Third / 90 4.80 6.42 Barco (Territorial Gain)
Key Passes / 90 0.65 2.10 Barco (Chance Creation)
Successful Take-Ons / 90 1.82 1.15 Lewis-Skelly (Escaping Pressure)
Take-On Success Rate (%) 83.3% 56.5% Lewis-Skelly (Dribble Security)
Tackles + Interceptions / 90 3.12 3.85 Barco (Defensive Activity)
Ground Duels Won % 59.2% 52.8% Lewis-Skelly (Physicality/Duels)
Fouls Committed / 90 1.10 2.05 Lewis-Skelly (Fewer Giveaways)
Ultimately, given the similarities between the two, if Lewis-Skelly joins Chelsea from Arsenal, then Barco’s future at Chelsea is in doubt without even playing a game, because there is one crucial element missing.
Lewis-Skelly has done it in the Premier League. He knows what English football is all about; he’s proven in England’s top tier. Barco has only impressed in France, failing to make a name for himself at Brighton.
Chelsea should sign Lewis-Skelly if indeed, he has become available and the price is right. But if they do, then do not be surprised to see Barco forced to leave Chelsea on loan before the end of the window.