Chelsea are mentioned as a potential suitor to sign an attacking playmaker this summer.
When you examine the Chelsea squad, there are a few areas that need addressing in the next transfer window. In particular, they must upgrade the spine of their team with a new goalkeeper, centre-half and striker.
However, the Blues already own one of the world’s very best creators in Cole Palmer.
Ally McCoist is amazed by Palmer, claiming he operates at a “different level” when it comes to his awareness on the football pitch.
Blues star Christopher Nkunku has struggled for regular minutes in his preferred No 10 position this season because of Palmer’s presence. Therefore, it’s baffling to see the club linked with another central playmaker.
Photo by Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images
Photo by Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images
Chelsea target Xavi Simons likely to leave RB Leipzig
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed via GiveMeSport that there’s a ‘strong chance’ RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons leaves his current club in the summer.
Apparently, the Bundesliga attacking midfielder could be available for around €70-75m (£58-62m) at the end of the season.
It is explained that Premier League clubs Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are monitoring the 21-year-old playmaker, and he’s been on their radar for over a year.
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Simons, who usually plays as a central attacking midfielder or on the left wing, is a key figure at Leipzig.
It’s no real surprise that the technical dribbler looks up to Brazilian icon Neymar. During an interview in 2024, Simons told Puma: “My idol is and has always been Neymar.”
Even though he’s still only 21, the Netherlands international does have plenty of big-game experience under his belt already.
Team Appearances Goals Assists
RB Leipzig 69 18 19
PSV Eindhoven 48 22 11
Paris Saint-Germain 11 0 1
Netherlands 26 4 4
Xavi Simons senior record for club and country
It’s been claimed that Chelsea admire Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, so let’s wait and see if the Blues complete any kind of transfer raid on the German outfit this summer.
Photo by David Aliaga/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by David Aliaga/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Should Chelsea sign Xavi Simons?
Without a doubt, Simons has the potential and quality to leave Leipzig and become a real household name at a big club.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who plays alongside him in the Dutch national side, is a huge admirer. Van Dijk told BBC Sport in 2024: “He (Simons) is a very talented player who has so much to give. He can still be so much better than he is already but he has a good mentality, so I am not worried that won’t happen. I am confident in him.”
However, Chelsea’s interest in the Dutchman feels bizarre when you factor in what their squad needs.
Simons definitely isn’t an out-an-out winger. As a result, you could be signing him to compete directly with Palmer for a starting position, which feels totally unnecessary.
If the Blues want to sign anyone from Leipzig, it should be their striker Benjamin Sesko.