A player linked with Chelsea in last summer’s transfer window has just helped his club progress into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
While Chelsea prepares for Thursday’s second leg against Copenhagen in the last-16 of the Conference League, the Champions League knockout rounds continue in midweek.
Without a doubt, the Blues need to make sure they’re back in Europe’s elite club competition next season. Opta predicts Chelsea to secure Champions League qualification for the 2025/26 campaign, but they’ve got a tough run-in to navigate in the remainder of this Premier League season.
On Tuesday night, French giants Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool on penalties at Anfield to book their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Interestingly, a former Chelsea transfer target scored the winning spot-kick to clinch PSG’s victory.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Former Chelsea target Desire Doue sends PSG into Champions League quarter-finals
If you rewind nine months ago, Desire Doue was an exciting talent at Rennes.
Back in June 2024, Chelsea pushed interest in signing Doue as they wanted to bring the Ligue 1 rising star to Stamford Bridge. Instead, the teenage French winger joined PSG.
At the age of 19, he’s enjoyed an eye-catching debut season so far in PSG colours. This now includes scoring the winning penalty against Liverpool on a huge Champions League night.
Appearances Goals Assists
38 7 11
Desire Doue’s debut season for PSG across all competitions
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During PSG’s triumph over Liverpool, Doue entered the action in the 67th minute of the enthralling second leg at Anfield. Eventually, the tie went to a penalty shootout because they were locked together at 1-1 on aggregate after extra time.
PSG secured an emphatic 4-1 victory on penalties, with Doue converting the winner by scoring high and to the left.
At one stage last summer, Chelsea were one of the frontrunners to sign Doue, but it looks like they’ve missed out on a potential gem.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
How the wingers Chelsea did sign last year have performed
Even though Enzo Maresca’s side did miss out on Doue, they did recruit some new wingers at the start of the season.
Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Jadon Sancho from Manchester United both became Chelsea stars. It’s fair to say that the two wide men have been inconsistent this term, though.
Player Appearnaces Goals Assists
Jadon Sancho 26 2 6
Pedro Neto 32 5 7
Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto across all competitions for Chelsea in the 2024/25 season
The reality is that the Blues do need a bit more end product from all of their wide players, especially when they’re without a recognised striker in the team right now due to injuries. We’re still confident that Neto can be the one winger who really steps up to the mark and becomes a talisman for the side.