Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea have been presented with a very interesting opportunity in the transfer market.
The Blues have shown interest in a few of Barcelona’s players in recent years, including Jules Kounde and Fermin Lopez.
However, they have been unable to agree a transfer fee with the Catalan club or personal terms with either player. Chelsea could now have the chance to sign one of Kounde and Lopez’s teammates, though.
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Marc Casado set to leave Barcelona
Last year, it was reported that Chelsea made an offer to Marc Casado but the midfielder turned it down.
While Chelsea had no success back then, they have a real chance to sign Casado this summer if the 22-year-old is still of interest to them.
Fabrizio Romano has shared on X that Casado will leave Barcelona during this transfer window and that his agent Jorge Mendes is exploring options.
Marc Casado of FC Barcelona
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On paper, Chelsea are not light in midfield. They have Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco and Dario Essugo, who can all play there.
But there could be a few exits in that department between now and the end of the transfer window.
Chelsea should consider making fresh Marc Casado move
If Chelsea loan the likes of Barco and Essugo, for example, and feel they need to bring in a new midfielder, Casado should be a name on their shortlist.
Casado is a good passer, which is what you would expect from a Barcelona academy graduate.
According to WhoScored, Casado had a pass success rate of 91% in La Liga last season. As per Scout Lab, the Spain international also completed 6.61 passes into the final third per 90 minutes, placing him in the 89th percentile among midfielders.
When you consider all of that, Casado is someone who could come in and help Xabi Alonso’s side to control games. He would be a better midfield option than Essugo, Barco and Henderson and more reliable than injury-prone Lavia.