Chelsea and Liverpool target prolific striker learning from Henry and modelling himself on Mbappe

Robin Bairner

1 Apr 2024 12:18 BST
9 min read

Chelsea and Liverpool are both hot on the tracks of a new centre-forward this summer, and the two Premier League giants are on a collision course with regards one player in particular.

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RB Leipzig forward Lois Openda is one of the hottest players in the transfer market as the summer approaches, with the Belgium international season having enjoyed a prolific season in the Bundesliga after firing RC Lens to within a point of PSG at the top of Ligue 1 last term.

According to Sacha Tavolieri, both Chelsea and Liverpool are tracking the striker, who has emerged ahead of Benjamin Sesko as RB Leipzig’s best scorer this season.

Openda’s development has been steadily impressive in recent years, and this season he has outperformed the likes of Harry Kane in the Bundesliga according to data from SciSports.

I put too much pressure on myself by thinking that I absolutely have to score. It's not necessary and it's something that Thierry Henry also passed on to me

- Lois Openda

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has made an impact on Openda’s play, with the France legend having advised him during his time as a striker coach with the Belgium national team.

“I put too much pressure on myself by thinking that I absolutely have to score. It's not necessary and it's something that Thierry Henry also passed on to me when he was still part of the technical staff. He told me that I was too tense when I touched the ball and that I had to stay calmer,” he told Pickx Sports in February.

“Players like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane have a killer mentality and the ambition to be the best. I also want to cultivate this mentality. I want to become one of the best strikers in the world and I know I can do it because of the confidence I have.”

Openda vs Bundesliga strikers: 2023/24

Openda’s fiery character was evident in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 encounter against Real Madrid.

During the clash, he needed to be calmed by former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger as he confronted Dani Carvajal.

“I’m going to f*** your mother,” the striker told the Spain defender.

Will Leipzig sell Openda?

RB Leipzig are unlikely to be willing sellers.

Xavi Simons is set to return to PSG, where he has been earmarked as Kylian Mbappe’s replacement at Parc des Princes.

“He scores a lot, he is one of the major elements of our team, and his state of mind is remarkable every day in training,” Marco Rose said of the forward.

“Everything is not perfect yet. In certain situations, he does not always make the right choice. He has plenty of room for improvement.”

With an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €61 million, Chelsea and Liverpool will be hard pushed to get Leipzig to sell.