Why Chelsea's De Jong chase has been given new urgency
FT Desk
- 15 Aug 2022 16:31 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea might have to step up their pursuit of Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong if they are to compete for major honours at the end of this season.
Barcelona have been attempting to shift De Jong for most of the summer window. The Catalans desperately need to balance their books, and the Dutchman is the best-paid player at the club and would fetch the most money in the transfer market.
Why would Frenkie de Jong want to join Man Utd?
Why would any player?@jacobsben of @cbssportsgolazo on a club who are "rotten at the foundational core" 😳 pic.twitter.com/c1ltUXMakV— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 15, 2022
Manchester United had looked to be De Jong's most likely destination, with new coach Erik ten Hag desperate to be reunited with his former Ajax midfielder, but the player has been reluctant to move, especially with his current employers owing him around €20 million in deferred wages.
Chelsea have emerged as a potential destination for De Jong, but while the Blues have upped their attempts to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - also from Barca - Manchester City have stolen a march on the De Jong deal, offering Bernardo Silva in part exchange.
Kante injured
But Chelsea might now have to switch their focus - and a significant part of their budget - back on to De Jong, after Ngolo Kante pulled up injured in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The French World Cup winner put in a vintage performance at Stamford Bridge, pre-assisting Reece James for Chelsea's second goal having won the ball back in midfield, but he had to make way for Connor Gallagher six minutes from time after injuring his hamstring.
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"It seems like a muscle injury, a hamstring," said Thomas Tuchel after the game. ""He said he feels it pretty strong, so not good."
Chelsea still have Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and indeed Gallagher who can operate in central midfield, but with Kante missing it suddenly looks a bit lightweight for them in that department, and De Jong would be the perfect solution.
