Chelsea are preparing for their second Premier League season under the guidance of Enzo Maresca
Chelsea are back in the Champions League after they finished in the top five in the Premier League last season. They also managed to get their hands on the Europa Conference League trophy, and also picked up the Club World Cup earlier this summer. Enzo Maresca has done an impressive job since taking over at Stamford Bridge.
Prior to his move down to London, he caught the eye at Leicester City. The ex-Manchester City coach has the chance to add more signings to his squad this summer. He also has the opportunity to let some players head out the exit door as well over the coming weeks to free up space and funds.
Chelsea want RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons
Chelsea are keen on signing RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons in this window and have held ‘talks’ over a move, as per journalist Fabrizio Romano on X. The Blues are trying to strike an agreement for the Bundesliga ace. They have until the deadline on Monday 1st September to get a deal over the line.
Simons, 22, will be seen by Maresca as someone to bolster his ranks. The Netherlands international, who has 28 caps under his belt, would add more quality to their squad. In addition, he would give them something different going forward.
The Amsterdam-born man joined Leipzig on an initial loan deal in 2023 before his transfer was later made permanent. He has since become one of their most prized assets and they face a real battle to keep hold of him at the moment amid attention from elsewhere. The attacking midfielder has has made 76 appearances in all competitions for them to date and has scored 21 goals, 11 of which came in the last campaign.
Simons was on the books at Barcelona as a child before PSG came calling. He then rose up through the academy of the Ligue 1 giants and was a regular for them at various different youth levels before going on to feature on 11 occasions for their first-team. PSV swooped in back in 2022 and he fired 22 goals in 48 matches for the Eredivisie team.
Chelsea could use Tyrique George in swap deal
Chelsea winger Tyrique George is on Leipzig’s radar according to reporter Romano on X. The attacker’s long-term situation is up in the air right now. Therefore, the Blues should use him as part of a swap deal plus cash to try and get Simons through the door.
George has been with his current club for his whole career to date. He is under contract until 2027, with the club holding an option for a further 12 months on top of that if needed, meaning they are under no pressure to let him go anytime soon and can be patient with him. The England youth international was handed his senior debut in August last year in a Conference League clash against Servette.
The Camden-born man went on to play 26 games altogether last term, eight of which came in the league, and he found the net on three occasions. His chances of nailing down a regular place in Maresca’s starting XI are slim though due to competition for his position. Therefore, letting him go may be a shrewd choice.
George would be ideal for Leipzig as he is young, has potential to develop in the future and would strengthen their attacking department. Going over to Germany would suit him perfectly and would get him out of his comfort zone. The likes of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham have both benefited from going abroad and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see George follow suit down the line.
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