Chelsea are reportedly trying to spoil Real Madrid's pre-summer transfer plans by hijacking their move for a 'big money' player.
Chelsea throw away three points after 2-2 Leeds draw
João Pedro's lovely 24th-minute finish followed by Cole Palmer's second-half penalty seemingly had Chelsea cruising towards a fifth consecutive Premier League victory under Liam Rosenior on Tuesday.
Leeds celebrate comeback draw against Chelsea
The hosts dominated possession completely, registering 66 per cent territorial control whilst restricting Leeds to barely a sniff throughout the opening hour.
Palmer orchestrated proceedings magnificently from midfield, providing the assist for Pedro's opener before confidently converting from twelve yards following Jaka Bijol's inexplicable push.
However, familiar defensive naivety reared its ugly head spectacularly during a catastrophic six-minute spell.
Moisés Caicedo's unnecessary challenge on Jayden Bogle gifted Leeds a lifeline penalty which Lukas Nmecha hammered home emphatically.
Substitute Noah Okafor then capitalised on unbelievably casual defending, with Josh Acheampong presenting possession directly to the Swiss forward, who tapped into the unguarded net.
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£200k-a-week La Liga star open to joining Chelsea after pre-summer talks
The Blues are ready to move fast ahead of June.
Palmer's stoppage-time miss from virtually on the goal-line epitomized Chelsea's evening.
The England international, normally so clinical from close range, somehow spooned over an open goal after Caicedo's right-sided delivery.
Rosenior later acknowledged "999 times out of 1,000 he scores" whilst lamenting his young squad's inability to maintain concentration for 90 minutes.
cole palmer
The 2-2 draw against Daniel Farke's side shows how Chelsea still have plenty of improving to do, and they could attack the transfer market once again this summer to bolster Rosenior's squad.
Chelsea attempting to hijack pre-summer Real Madrid deal for Kees Smit
According to journalist Javier Pena in Spain, Chelsea have dramatically entered the race for AZ Alkmaar sensation Kees Smit — directly challenging Real Madrid for the highly-rated Dutch midfielder's signature.
AZ player Kees Smit and Excelsior Rotterdam player Irakli Yegoian
The 20-year-old has exploded onto European football's radar this campaign, demonstrating a maturity unusual for someone his age.
Kees Smit's best Eredivise games this season Match Rating
Sparta Rotterdam 0-1 AZ 8.11/10
FC Volendam 2-2 AZ 7.78/10
PEC Zwolle 2-2 AZ 7.61/10
Heracles 1-2 AZ 7.38/10
Ajax 0-2 AZ 6.99/10
via WhoScored
Real are said to have submitted an initial proposal approaching £42 million, believing they possessed a clear pathway towards securing another generational talent.
However, Chelsea's financial muscle could tilt negotiations after previously being linked with Smit as well.
Stamford Bridge hierarchy view the Netherlands Under-21 international as an ideal midfield signing alongside established stars like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, and Pena reports that Chelsea are 'attempting' to muscle in on Real's talks for Smit.
Chelsea believe offering immediate first-team opportunities could prove decisive in convincing the starlet to choose London over the Spanish capital.
kees-smit-az-alkmaar
AZ recognise that retaining their gem beyond this summer represents an impossible task, but their coffers could be about to get a significant injection.
Chelsea's willingness to potentially pay more than Real, as suggested in the report, could give them an advantage, but Fabrizio Romano has hinted any suitor for Smit will need to pay 'big money'.
“Let’s see what happens because Kes Smit and AZ Alkmaar, it is going to be a huge summer, a huge battle," Romano said on his YouTube channel recently.
"It’s not going to be easy to sign him because 40-45 million euros is not going to be enough, it’s going to be big money.
“For sure, it’s going to be a big battle, so get for Kees Smit because he’s going to be a big part of conversations.”
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The Blues have come forward to sign a defender.