Chelsea in contact to sign “generational” £60m talent

Chelsea stand on the brink of yet more European glory having reached the final of the Conference League in midweek.

If the Blues do go on to defeat Real Betis in the final at the end of the month, they will become the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup and the Conference League.

It would ensure Enzo Maresca ends his debut season with a trophy, the club’s first since 2021.

The Italian will be hoping his side can finish the Premier League campaign well, securing a top five finish which would see them qualify for the Champions League next term.

With games to come against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, Chelsea have an extremely tough final three fixtures.

If the promised land is to be reached, Maresca will be hoping his key players are firing over the next couple of weeks.

Cole Palmer may not have lived up to his extraordinary debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, but he has still registered 25 goal contributions – 15 goals and ten assists – across 42 games for the Blues so far this season.

Why Chelsea must keep hold of Cole Palmer

The attacking midfielder progressed through the academy at Manchester City before going on to make a total of 41 appearances for the club.

Despite winning the treble during the 2022/23 season and scoring twice for City at the start of the following campaign, Palmer ended up joining Chelsea for just £40m that summer.

This has turned out to be one of the finest signings the club have made in their recent history. Indeed, across Palmer’s 87 games for the Stamford Bridge side, he has scored 40 goals while recording 25 assists in all competitions.

This works out as a goal involvement every 1.3 games and if it weren’t for his ability in the final third, Chelsea certainly wouldn’t find themselves chasing a Champions League spot, that’s for sure.

Just in the top flight this season, the Englishman has created a staggering 21 big chances, averaged 2.5 key passes and succeeds with 1.5 dribbles per game for the Blues.

While Maresca has brought in plenty of new players via the transfer market, he has also given chances to several Cobham graduates, most notably Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong and Shumaira Mheuka in recent months.

All three could have a bright future in London, but could the manager turn to the transfer market in order to find his next Palmer? As the club are showing interest in someone who could be set for an exit from his current club…

Chelsea plotting move for Premier League sensation

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea are in the market for a new left-winger this summer and have narrowed the search down to three players.

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Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Nico Williams and Alejandro Garnacho are the three standout candidates for the role as Maresca aims to strengthen this area of his team.

Interest in Garnacho dates back to the January transfer window, where Chelsea first began to show their interest, although no move materialised.

Now, according to Bailey, the Blues have tracked the Argentinian winger since then and are still in contact with his agents.

With the Red Devils closing in on a move for Matheus Cunha, this could see Garnacho departing Old Trafford in the summer.

Their asking price remains around the £60m mark and with Maresca keen on moving a few players on during the window, funds should be available for a few new additions.

Garnacho was trained in a Manchester academy and is a highly-rated young talent ready to fulfil his potential.

Just like Palmer was when he left City two years ago.

Why Chelsea must sign Alejandro Garnacho

Maresca has a few options to use on the left wing, although it is clear that this position needs to be bolstered ahead of next season.

Jadon Sancho arrived on loan from United, but has managed to record just 14 goal contributions across 39 games for the Blues.

Elsewhere, Mykhailo Mudryk is currently suspended from playing after testing positive for Meldonium, which is a banned substance, last year. He hasn’t played for Chelsea since November.

These factors heighten the need for a new left-sided forward and Garnacho could be an ideal signing.

The 20-year-old made his debut for the Red Devils during the 2021/22 campaign and has since made over 100 competitive appearances for the club.

A tally of 26 goals and 22 assists is solid enough, but this season, he has struggled under Ruben Amorim. He has scored just three Premier League goals since the former Sporting CP manager took charge of the club in November 2024.

Indeed, he has created just four big chances while averaging one key pass per game in the top flight this term. Compared to last season – six big chances created and 1.3 key passes per game – there is a drop-off in output.

Might a fresh start be required for the youngster this summer? It appears so.

Hailed as “generational” talent by Statman Dave during the 2023/24 campaign, Garnacho has talent in abundance. That’s for sure. He now needs a consistent platform to demonstrate it.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, the Argentinian currently ranks in the top 4% for progressive carries (5.87), in the top 2% for total shots (3.7) and in the top 6% for touches in the opposition penalty area (7.58) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

Chelsea could be signing their next Palmer should a move for the United wonderkid go through this summer.

If so, they will have a wonderful option on the left wing who is equally able to create and score at the highest level, while he is superb at moving the ball into key areas in the final third.

A fee of £60m could turn out to be a bargain. Especially if he can replicate Palmer’s impact at the Blues.

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