How Chelsea could line up with Chiesa
Cameron Smith
- 28 Sept 2021 15:10 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are reportedly keen on making a fresh bid for Juventus and Italy winger Federico Chiesa.
The Blues are said to have had a €100 million bid rejected in the summer, but according to Fichajes, they are prepared to offer €115m to acquire his services.
Despite the plethora of attacking talent at Thomas Tuchel's disposal already, Chiesa is seen as the perfect player to add to the Chelsea ranks.
Related articles
His dynamism and all-action style of play could suit the way Tuchel plays at Stamford Bridge, and hence why the Blues have sought him out.
He netted 14 goals and grabbed 10 assists in 38 starts in his debut campaign at Juventus, impressing in the Champions League despite the team's struggles.
He was also excellent at the European Championships, helping Italy to lift the trophy.
Aged just 23, Chiesa has already racked up a serious amount of experience, playing over 150 times for Fiorentina before joining Juve. In fact, he's still a Fiorentina player. Chiesa is on loan at Juventus, from Fiorentina, with that loan move ending in 2022. However, Juventus do have an obligation to buy included in the contract, meaning Chiesa will join the club permanently next summer.
As well as Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in Chiesa, although the Blues are the most likely club to land him at the moment.
With all that being said, how could Chelsea line up with Chiesa?
Chelsea XI with Chiesa
Edouard Mendy will remain between the sticks, with Kepa Arrizabalaga as a good back-up option.
The back three could change, and will do if players don't sign new contracts soon. Andreas Christensen has been excellent since Tuchel arrived, and will get plenty of minutes in defence.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell was the first choice wing-back pairing last season, but Chilwell has been left on the bench at the start of this year thanks to Marcos Alonso's form. However, the Spaniard can be unreliable, so Chilwell should be able to force his way back into the side.
Mateo Kovacic, like Alonso, has begun the 2021/22 campaign in great form, but unfortunately for him, when both Jorginho and N'Golo Kante are fully fit, there's no room for him.
Moving forward is where it gets more interesting. Romelu Lukaku is a nailed on starter, but as for the other two spots, it's anyone's guess.
If Chiesa is signed for huge money, then like Lukaku he'll likely become one of the first names on the teamsheet, but there's so many options available to Tuchel to play alongside him.
Surely one of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, or Christian Pulisic would be sold if Chiesa is brought in, but Mason Mount, Timo Werner, and Kai Havertz will also be battling it out to start.
On evidence so far, Mount is the most likely to land a spot in the first choice starting XI, with his work crucial to Chelsea's play. He may not score or assist too much, but he presses extremely well, plus he's a great creative force.
Chiesa would immediately suit Tuchel's style of play, and with Lukaku to play off, he would be deadly.
