Chelsea Transfers

[Reddish-Blue 2,495]

15 hours ago, Fernando said:

Because that way we can always sell and keep brining the next great thing. Which is what I think they want to do, kinds of like Dortmund. 

I think that type of model only works once all the high earners are sold off. 

Essentially, you would be like Brighton in the premier league, good enough to be competing for a top 8 spot and capable of playing good games against the top sides of the EPL. 

 

[IMissEden 21]

22 hours ago, Fernando said:

So two strikers that the club wanted to get have come good. 

Maybe they are doing a great job in getting players. 

The only they done bad is CB...but then again they just got a free CB this summer which is better then before. So maybe they also improving that? 

anyone with one half eye could tell you Gyokeres was a beast, a definition of a true cemented beast, nothing to speculate. There is 0 compliments due toward anyone for knowing Gyokeres is elite. Duran has the same exact question marks and same exact qualities as prior. 
 

We have Felix who doesn’t suit, Nkunku who doesn’t fit, Tosin in with better quality out, let’s not do this revisionism crap based on crumb perspectives. They’re awful. You don’t make this many mistakes as a top team. 

Edited September 24, 2024 by IMissEden

[IMissEden 21]

I wonder if “I just coach the players” Maresca or the scouts or the directors, they’re certainly the same corner of a square, went for Dewsbury. It doesn’t make sense from a policy, structural perspective. Who actually called for, who green lit. 

[Vesper 30,119]

Sources have revealed to CaughtOffside that, for now, Jackson’s form has not been enough to change Chelsea’s mind about targeting Osimhen, while three other big names are also being considered by the west London giants.

As well as Osimhen, Chelsea also have Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko on their list and being monitored closely.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.caughtoffside.com/2024/09/22/osimhen-transfer-Chelsea-still-eyeing-striker/amp/

[Vesper 30,119]

Paris Saint-Germain

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/149289602/paris-saint-germain

• PSG are working on a new deal for Achraf Hakimi, one of the players considered key for their long term project. Talks have already started and PSG are on it.

[King Kante 1,643]

5 hours ago, Vesper said:

Sources have revealed to CaughtOffside that, for now, Jackson’s form has not been enough to change Chelsea’s mind about targeting Osimhen, while three other big names are also being considered by the west London giants.

As well as Osimhen, Chelsea also have Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko on their list and being monitored closely.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.caughtoffside.com/2024/09/22/osimhen-transfer-Chelsea-still-eyeing-striker/amp/

I do not see the need to get a CF as Jackson has been one of the most improved players in Europe over the past calender year. As we aren't currently a team capable of winning the league, nor playing in the CL I do not see why we would risk his development at this point. 

Personally, I am fine with how the forward line is functioning. It is in midfield and at the back where we may need to do something. If we do something with the forwards it should be selling/loaning Mudryk. 

[Thor 2,693]

Ibrahim Rabbaj - @Vesperdo you know anything about this youth player in our academy. 
 

Heard he is playing u16 and has 120 G+A in 52 matches or something ridiculous. Looks like Messi

https://www.reddit.com/r/chelseafc/s/WEcKphk4O9

[Vesper 30,119]

1 hour ago, Thor said:

Ibrahim Rabbaj - @Vesperdo you know anything about this youth player in our academy. 
 

Heard he is playing u16 and has 120 G+A in 52 matches or something ridiculous. Looks like Messi

https://www.reddit.com/r/chelseafc/s/WEcKphk4O9

I know very little about him.

Great goal here:

 

[Vesper 30,119]

Chelsea front-runners to sign Michael Kayode

https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/09/25/Chelsea-front-runners-to-sign-michael-kayode/#google_vignette

Chelsea are ahead in the race for Michael Kayode, as Enzo Maresca could prioritise a new right-back ahead of the January window.

According to Inter-Live, Chelsea are the biggest threat to Inter Milan’s chances of signing Michael Kayode. The Fiorentina full-back has been in impressive form lately, as Enzo Maresca is keen to bolster the right-back area ahead of the January transfer window.

Chelsea could have been complacent about strengthening some areas more than others and may have left themselves short in a few specific positions. For instance, they could not sign a solid striker to compete with Nicolas Jackson, while there are doubts about either of their full-back areas.

Chelsea are still in the mix for Victor Osimhen and could look at other areas of their squad ahead of the January transfer window. Enzo Maresca might be considering bringing in a new right-back to bolster the area, with some persistent doubts creeping in about Reece James’s availability and Malo Gusto’s poise to make the role his own.

Both those right-backs have had problems integrating on a consistent basis, especially James, who remains sidelined with yet another injury. The Chelsea skipper has not even had a few games on the trot for over a year now, which has prompted Maresca to potentially look at a new option at right-back.

There are links to Jules Kounde, but those rumours come with complications, as Barcelona would not sanction the sale of an important player in January unless it is for a huge sum. Similarly, Chelsea are interested in Jeremie Frimpong. But again, Bayer Leverkusen are unlikely to entertain enquiries in the middle of the season.

Chelsea like Kayode

Michael Kayode has been on Chelsea’s radar, with Inter Milan also keen on the right-back from Fiorentina. The Blues are reportedly ahead of the competition for the 20-year-old highly-rated full-back, as he could emerge as a target that could be available for a transfer, with the Serie A outfit reported open to selling.

Kayode has impressed throughout last season and has proven his worth again for Fiorentina since the start of the current campaign. Hence, Chelsea would be eager to take a deeper look into what the 20-year-old brings to their side before deciding on a bid ahead of the January transfer window.

[Vesper 30,119]

Scouting: UEFA EURO U19, 2024 Edition

10 promising players to follow in the next few years.

https://pitchsideanalysis.substack.com/p/scouting-uefa-euro-u19-2024-edition

Eight countries qualified to the final stage of the U19 EURO 2024 and in the end, as almost always happen, Spain got crowned champions (their twelfth title at this level), even if they were considerably weaker and adopted a more pragmatic style this year. There are limits to what we can learn from a shorter tournament like this, but it was enough to convince me of some of these players’ quality.

I could list names like Saïmon Bouabré, Simone Pafundi, Iker Bravo and even Francesco Camarda here (all of them had some good games at the tournament), but I feel like they’re already well known to anyone who follows a bit of youth football. For that reason, they’ve been excluded and, instead, I focused on players that, at least to me, represented new discoveries.

GK: Pierce Charles (2005, Sheffield Wed)

The Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Charles is comfortable drawing pressure before breaking lines, moves around really nicely to offer passing lines to defenders and is also able to find teammates with long balls — all that probably relates to his formative years at the Manchester City academy. His ball-striking skills and tendencies to be involved in the build-up phase could be an asset to lots of clubs in need of a ball-playing goalkeeper. What he offers as a passer, however, he lacks controlling his own box, as he can be quite passive when claiming crosses.

🇳🇴 FB: Aleksander Andresen (2005, Stabaek)

Andresen impressed for his physical profile: at just 19 years old, he can drive forward with and without the ball time after time down the line, sprinting to beat his opponents for full a 90 minutes. The Norwegian fullback enjoys short combinations and thrives upon receiving the ball ahead of him, in situations where he can pick it up and keep carrying it forward. His overall speed and acceleration are also a defensive asset. At Stabaek, currently in Norway’s second division, he’s already established as a starter and it shouldn’t take too long for us to see him at a higher level.

🇳🇴 CB: Rasmus Holten (2005, SK Brann)

Playing alongside Andresen, Holten is a solid defender. He isn’t really explosive (takes a while to accelerate), but controls depth well enough in a high line, mostly covering other defenders, and knows how to use his body to his advantage, exploring his upper body strength. At 1.95 meters tall, he’s great at aerial duels too. Professional football means he’s gonna face stronger and faster players, but I think he could still be a solid defender.

🇺🇦 CB: Taras Mykhavko (2005, Dinamo Kiev)

An aggressive, front-footed defender, Mykhavko is always looking to anticipate duels, staying active and taking initiative rather than reacting to the attackers. We can see that in the way he contests aerial balls, pouncing himself over opposite players to attack the ball — that and his jumping reach more than compensates for his fairly low height (considering some of the elite modern defenders), 1.85m. He also played at left-back during the tournament, showing good carries into the final third, but I would definitely say his future lies at the heart of the defense.

He already had experience at professional football, starting seven games for Dinamo Kiev before the U19 EURO and that trend continued after it, with Mykhavko cementing his place at the starting eleven of the Ukrainian team. Fully expect him to be the target of big clubs in the next few transfer windows.

🇩🇰 CB: Villads Nielsen (2005, FK Bodo/Glimt)

Nielsen’s ball-striking skills were on full display at the U19 EURO. The Danish defender can hit some diagonal long balls to perfection, shifting the game from one side of the pitch to another at ease, finding the opposite winger on favorable conditions to take on the defender. He’s much more of a passer than a carrier, but showed promise driving forward too, when space was made available to him. He does have some room to grow physically (he’s 1.92m, lean, and sometimes lets strikers get the best of him in physical duels), but that ability on the ball alone is worth a lot to any club looking to build-up from the back.

🇩🇰 DM: Thomas Jorgensen (2005, FC Copenhagen)

Jorgensen got signed by Viborg FF, also from Denmark, after the tournament. Transfermarkt listed this transaction at 600k euros, making him Viborg’s most expensive transfer ever. Clearly they liked what they saw.

Downing the number 10 shirt, Jorgensen is a left-footed midfielder who usually operates in a deeper zone, even dropping between both center-backs sometimes to help distribute the ball into the final third. He’s quite good at recognizing when to attempt more risky passes and when to circulate the ball to keep possession and does have the ability to break lines with his passes. He doesn’t take too many touches before releasing the ball and knows how to draw pressure before finding space behind the lines.

🇫🇷 CM: Valentin Atangana (2005, Stade Reims)

To me, Atangana was easily one of the best players of the tournament. His ability to evade pressure using little shoulder drops and then carry the ball forward proved to be one of the most important assets of this France squad. When he isn’t carrying the ball, he’s got good timing and the speed to crash the attacking box as a late runner. Furthermore, Atangana is a really good duelist, using his body well to recover and shield the ball upon engaging in physical battles.

At 19 years old, that’s massive, as it enables him to impact professional games, something he’s been doing since last season. He debuted at 17 yo, made seven (out of 18 games played) starts last season (Ligue 1 games only) and is currently an undisputed starter at Stade de Reims. Brace ourselves: French football is about to deliver us another really good midfielder.

🇮🇹 CM: Luca di Maggio (2005, Internazionale)

Mostly a left-sided 8, di Maggio was one of the standouts in a quite balanced Italian team. Aside from some central runs, he likes to get involved in the final third, moving himself laterally to get the ball under less pressure and then carry it inside, to his favorite right foot. The Italian midfielder is also a good dribbler and usually relies on body feints to bait a defender, creating space for passes and shots in the edge of the box.

Internazionale are quite stacked at the midfield right now, so it makes sense that they would send him on loan to a smaller Italian team. In this case, it was Perugia (Serie C, third tier).

🇩🇰 W: Oscar Schwartau (2006, Bröndby IF)

A tall, dribbly winger, Schwartau isn’t the most technically refined player, but he’s still able to control the ball in smaller spaces, as well as turn under pressure before driving forward. A right-footer, he can play from both flanks, going central to combine or attack the box, and I reckon he could be a good attacking midfielder too, under the right context.

After the EURO, he moved from Bröndby IF to Norwich City for around 2.5 million euros. Not really sure about this move early in his career, but time will tell if it was a smart decision. At least he’s starting games at the Championship (two out of three, so far).

🇺🇦 ST: Matviy Ponomarenko (2006, Dinamo Kiev)

Ponomarenko was one of the players that impressed me the most at this year’s edition of the U19 EURO. A relentless runner, he offers a great variety of offensive movements, from in behind runs to dropping deep ones. Coming deep to receive the ball at his feet seems to be his most assertive role right now, one that enables him to display his technical skills (one touch passes, backheels, shoulder drops) and his ability to absorb physical contact before progressing play. He’s quite strong already and works hard defensively too.

He’s got a good goalscoring record at youth level and scored a single goal as a professional for Dinamo Kiev (75 minutes across 9 games, always coming from the bench). Unfortunately, he injured himself at the beginning of this season, so it might take a while for us to see him again.

[Vesper 30,119]

The 473rd CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post presents SkillCorner data on the midfielders with the best statistics for keeping the ball in high-pressure situations* in 18 European top divisions, the Brasileirão and Mexico's Liga MX. Bayern Munich's German full international Joshua Kimmich tops the list among midfielders who have been confronted with at least 60 high-pressure situations during the current season.

Torino's Italian international Samuele Ricci and Tigres UANL's Brazilian Rafael Carioca complete the top three. Three players who have not yet turned 21 feature in the top ten: two from the Danish side Nordsjælland (Ivory Coast’s Mario Dorgeles and Denmark’s Zidan Sertdemir), as well as Paris St-Germain's French prodigy Warren Zaïre-Emery. The youngest player in the top 100 is Tijuana's great Mexican talent Gilberto Mora (15.9 years, 43rd).

By team, the highest values were recorded for Manchester City (84.4%), Juventus (83.8%) and Shakhtar Donetsk (83.7%). These are all clubs that attack collectively, which makes the task of players carrying the ball easier, as analysed in greater detail in this Monthly Report. This is why the Post also presents the gap measured for each player in relation to his team's average, with WSG Tirol's Austrian Valentino Müller a surprising leader.

* A player is considered under pressure when he is in possession of the ball and at least one opponent player nearby him is trying to either recover the ball or limit his options. For each situation, SkillCorner determines the intensity of pressure by considering the speed of the players applying it, their distance to the player in possession and the angle of their movement. More information is available here.

% of ball retention under high pressure

Top 100 midfielders, domestic league minutes, current season until 24/09/2024. Data: SkillCorner.

 

youngest (only 1 player under 18yo) from youngest to older

 

EPL only

 

I have been tipping Samuele Ricci (DMF) for some time now

2nd highest rate on the planet atm

[Vesper 30,119]

Sporting still demanding €100m for Gyokeres

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/149335922/sporting-still-demanding-m-for-gyokeres

Guess who scored again at the weekend… Viktor Gyokeres. Again and again and again. This time he scored a brace for Sporting.

I keep receiving many questions about him for the January transfer window, and maybe something can happen because he keeps scoring goals.

What I can tell you about Gyokeres is that Sporting - as they were very clear in the summer transfer window - remain intent on asking for the full release clause. They want €100m or the player stays.

We will follow the situation closely, because Gyokeres is clearly one of the best number nines around Europe.

[Vesper 30,119]

Barella to Manchester United is nonsense

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/149335922/barella-to-manchester-united-is-nonsense

Despite the rumours linking Nicolo Barella with a €75m move to Manchester United, I have zero information on this.

He only extended his contract at Inter just a few months ago, and he's a key player for them.

I don't even know where this is information is coming from!

[Vesper 30,119]

On 05/09/2024 at 01:35, Vesper said:

Chelsea forward posts goodbye message as Liverpool transfer confirmed

Liverpool have signed 16-year-old Chelsea forward Rio Ngumoha to bolster their youth ranks

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/Chelsea-forward-posts-goodbye-message-29870613

The Premier League has finally approved Liverpool's signing of Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea. The 16-year-old will join the Reds' under-18s for the 2024-25 season.

Liverpool's scouts had tracked the England youth international for some time and in July, began the process of bringing the forward to Anfield. On Thursday, he took to Instagram to officially confirm his departure from Chelsea: "Thank you for everything Chelsea Academy," wrote Ngumoha, who trained with the club's first team earlier this year, before later uploading photos of his scholarship signing at Anfield.

As he rejected Chelsea's scholarship offer, the Londoners will be entitled to a compensation fee from Liverpool. It's expected Ngumoha will be blooded into the under-18s setup with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson for the coming campaign before being assessed for a potential call-up to the U21s and Liverpool are delighted at managing to bring the 16-year-old to their thriving Kirkby base.

Club scouts have been hugely impressed with the skilful winger during checks and after listening to the enticing pitch laid out by Liverpool, Ngumoha has now moved to Merseyside. It's believed Chelsea are furious with how Ngumoha has been allowed to leave for what will be a nominal fee, although suggestions Liverpool have broken their wage structure to land the winger have been rubbished.

It's understood Ngumoha's arrival is in-keeping with existing policies that are strictly set out by long-serving Academy director Alex Inglethorpe and the youngster will be on a scholarship wage at Kirkby. The club's recent track of blooding players from their academy ranks into the first-team is understood to have been key to the decision over the move with the 2024 Carabao Cup final cited as the perfect example of the two contrasting strategies at both clubs.

Liverpool won the game at Wembley 1-0 thanks to Virgil van Dijk's extra-time header but finished the match with James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns all on the pitch and they were also able to name Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott in the team on the day, four players who all sharpened their skills in the youth ranks at Anfield.

Liverpool have been keen to pursue the best young talents across the country since the introduction of laws that came off the back of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union at the end of 2020, which made signings from the continent more difficult.

Why Rio Ngumoha is already the talk of Liverpool’s academy

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5767200/2024/09/24/rio-ngumoha-liverpool-academy/

Fifteen minutes was all Rio Ngumoha needed to highlight why Liverpool believe they have landed one of the most exciting young attackers in the country.

The 16-year-old made his debut for the under-18s as a late substitute against Blackburn Rovers earlier this month and immediately caught the eye with an array of flicks, tricks and dribbles.

His arrival from Chelsea, who are bitterly disappointed to lose a player they felt was capable of progressing into the first-team setup, has created a buzz on Merseyside. Those who pushed hard to bring Ngumoha into the club for a compensation fee that has not yet been decided and may have to be resolved at a tribunal, are confident they have a gem.

Those who watched him against Rovers at Liverpool’s academy in Kirkby agreed. By the closing stages, there were screams from the defence to “hit him” and some increasingly wild challenges. It was some way to announce himself.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Liverpool’s under-18s manager, is keen to avoid overhyping Ngumoha. “He is here because he’s got potential to go and reach the first team, but besides that, there’s no pressure from us,” he said after the Blackburn game.

Steps to shield Ngumoha are likely to follow after what can only be described as a whirlwind entrance. After the transfer was confirmed by the Premier League following a five-step review, required for all moves between clubs with Category 1 academies, Ngumoha was introduced to the senior setup during the most recent international break. He spent a few days with the remaining first-team players and trained alongside Federico Chiesa, the new arrival from Juventus.

Then he was introduced to the under-21 team before preparing for his debut with the under-18s. Last week he featured in the UEFA Youth League game against AC Milan, under the watchful eye of club coaching staff including under-21 head coach Barry Lewtas, before impressing once again after coming on at half-time in the under-18s’ 2-2 draw with Leeds last Saturday.

“He needs to find some rhythm,” Lewtas said. “There’s no rush with him. He’s only just turned 16. Let him settle and find his way and let’s see where it goes.”

How quickly he settles into the new surroundings will determine the trajectory of his journey, but muffling the external noise will perhaps be the biggest challenge. John Terry, the former Chelsea captain who now has an academy role at the club, posted on social media that Ngumoha “is and will be a top, top player” when his move to Liverpool was confirmed, and there is no mistaking the excitement around him.

The Athletic has spoken to multiple sources with knowledge of the deal that took him to Liverpool — on the condition of anonymity to protect their positions — to understand why he was considered such a priority signing and what the future might hold.

Recruiting one of the most highly-rated teenagers in the country was no easy process, not least because Chelsea did not want to lose him, and there was a late push from the club to keep him.

Ngumoha has always attracted interest from the elite. He was touring top-level clubs across the country when he was just eight years old and spent time at Liverpool, Everton, and Manchester City, among others, before choosing Chelsea. Those within his inner circle have long predicted a bright future. His brother, James, is a big influence and was by his side during those early decision-making years and when he was considering a move away from London in more recent times.

In June, Ngumoha spent time at Manchester United listening to plans they had for him if he decided on a move. United pushed for his signature but felt they were already behind Liverpool in the race and eventually conceded defeat.

Chelsea know they have lost a player who has so much potential to develop. The attacker’s style hasn’t changed much since his early years when his mission was to entertain. He’s always been a fearless dribbler who loves the creative side of the game. The key, perhaps, will be to get the right balance in his attacking play as he matures.

An insider with knowledge of the Chelsea academy, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, says: “The coaches loved working with Rio because he’s a great kid, but also because he would take on board what they were saying. There had been times when he was trying to do it all by himself.”

One particular game where he stood above the rest was in the Under-17 Premier League Cup final between Chelsea and Wolves at Molineux in April. The scouting section was packed and even before a ball had been kicked, his name was the subject of most conversation.

His performance solidified what Liverpool, in particular, already knew; that he was a future star in the making. Not only did he score a stunning solo goal, but he also caught the eye with his purposeful running from left and central areas.

His performance also showed that he could step up when it mattered. This was a big final for the youngsters and not every player is cut out for the high-pressure moments. Clearly, Ngumoha is cut from a different cloth.

“It was a performance that was expected as he lived up to the hype,” said a scout who was watching that day. “Some of us thought he was a bit too flashy, but others were already on board with his quality.”

At Liverpool, there is a specific plan for each player in the academy and the club are determined that Ngumoah will get all the coaching and support he requires to maximise his talent, as well as an education that keeps him grounded.

Rio is on a standard scholar’s contract of £1,200 ($1,600) per month (£14,400 per year). When he turns 17 next August he will pen his first professional contract. Liverpool currently limit first year pros to a basic salary of around £52,000 a year but they can earn more through bonuses. Contracts are heavily incentivised to ensure progress is rewarded.

GO DEEPER

How will Arne Slot use Liverpool's academy this season?

Ngumoha is well regarded as a humble and likeable young man and his attitude in his first official week at the club has been exemplary. Staff have tried to speed up the settling-in process by exposing him to all sections of the club and show him the pathway if he develops in the way they expect, although he is playing catch-up after a period where he was training alone.

“He’s come from a big club,” Lewtas added. “It’s not like he’s been plucked out of obscurity. He knows what elite looks like. The environment that we create will help him and on top of that, we have got a lot of other good players around him. Some of the other boys are a bit older and they will help him settle.”

All the buzzwords you can imagine have been used to describe Ngumoha and any attempt to deflect some of the noise is going to be difficult. Liverpool’s plan will be to bed him in slowly, but this is a boy who plays like he is in a hurry.

[NikkiCFC 8,300]

Osimhen couldn't score first 3 games for Galatasaray. Very happy we didn't get him. Will probably be available for 35m soon.