Chelsea could sign yet another teenager this summer and for big money as the club stick to their transfer strategy.
Chelsea have already bought the likes of Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez, who both turn 18 this year, from Palmeiras and Independiente del Valle respectively. And the two could be joined by another young and exciting talent soon.
Since the Blues’ takeover in 2022, the club’s transfer strategy has been centred around bringing in young players, which is why Estevao and Paez have been snapped up.
Gabriel Mec is also on Chelsea’s radar despite still being just 16 years of age.
Photo by DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Chelsea interested in Real Betis’ Jesus Rodriguez
Enzo Maresca has Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk for the wings, with Estevao set to join them.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens is another wide man Chelsea like, while the club are also thought to have an interest in 19-year-old Jesus Rodriguez.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea want to sign the Real Betis youngster, who has a £42m release clause in his contract.
Rodriguez has only grabbed a couple of goal contributions in the 10 La Liga games he has played in this, but his dribbling has really caught the eye.
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Chelsea want to buy a couple of players before they head to the US in June to participate in the Club World Cup.
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Jesus Rodriguez a better dribbler than Cole Palmer
Rodriguez may not be scoring or creating as many goals as someone like Cole Palmer, for example, but he is having more success when it comes to dribbling compared to the England star.
In fact, statistically, Rodriguez would be the best dribbler at Chelsea right now if he was part of Maresca’s squad.
He is currently completing more dribbles per league game than Chelsea’s top three dribblers.
Rank Player Dribbles per game
1. Jesus Rodriguez 2.2
2. Jadon Sancho 1.9
3. Cole Palmer 1.3
4. Noni Madueke 1.2
Via Jesus Rodriguez’s WhoScored and Chelsea’s WhoScored pages
As per FBref, the Spain U19 international also ranks in the 95th percentile for successful take-ons among attacking midfielders and wingers.
Simply put, Rodriguez knows how to beat his man. Another young attacker who is yet to develop into a goalscorer may not be what Chelsea need, though.