Chelsea are in the market for a new right winger before the window closes and football.london explores how tonight's match with Luton Town could have a bearing on their plans
Since Chelsea completed the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia last week, for a combined total of £173million, the club's focus in the transfer market has been quite clear.
Getting a new goalkeeper in and adding another attacking talent to their ranks. The former looks to be all but done, fortunately for the Blues.
So the club's attention has naturally turned to an attacking option – someone versatile that can play both on the right wing and operate in the centre in the No.10 role. A few options have been identified for a possible move in the final week of the summer transfer window.
One of those being Bradley Barcola from the same club, Lyon. The 20-year-old is viewed as one of the most exciting talents in his position – right wing – in world football right now. Paris Saint-Germain, however, are also interested in Barcola and have held talks with Lyon over a move for the winger.
"We need more and then we were talking about one offensive player, the right profile. If we can add the right profile, yes, but not to bring players so we can add one more. We don't want to stop the evolution of some young guys, [Armando] Broja, [Christopher] Nkunku.
"Working hard but not to take a decision because we need someone. These two areas we maybe need some players."
Pochettino was essentially implying that the club will act in the market between now and September 1 but only if the ideal option is available. Chelsea will not be rushed into buying someone just for the sake of it if they do not fit the profile wanted or the ideology of the club.
This evening's (Friday's) match against Luton Town could have a big say on the club's plans between now and the window's closure. With Christopher Nkunku and Carney Chukwuemeka both ruled out through respective knee injuries, the Blues are rather short of attacking options – for those to play behind what we assume will be Nicolas Jackson.
Noni Madueke is in contention to make his first start under Pochettino after coming on in the second-half at West Ham United at the weekend. The 21-year-old winger, who was brought in for £30million from PSV Eindhoven in the January transfer window, showed glimpses of his enormous talent and technical ability in the second half of last term but struggled to cement a spot down on that right-hand side.
When Madueke squares a defender up in a one-versus-one situation, he is practically unstoppable. He is one of those players where the defender knows what he is going to do; cut in on his favoured left foot, but the prior knowledge renders useless because of his sheer speed and his tricky dribbling.
Against West Ham, however, Chelsea were almost playing two right wingers at times. Raheem Sterling was often on the right flank and stayed there even when Madueke came on in the second period. This sometimes forced the England Under-21 international to drift into the middle, where he was unable to hurt the Hammers.
There were, though, a few instances where Madueke collected the ball on the right and was able to show his trickery in one-on-one situations. He was terribly unfortunate not to find the back of the net from an effort where he cut in, only for it to be deflected and then turned behind by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
If he is to feature against Luton, Chelsea need to get the ball to him as often as possible on the right because when he isolates a full-back, there is very little anyone can do about that. His end product of course needs improving but for raw talent, it is quite scary what he can offer.
There is all of this talk about a new right winger coming in, but Madueke seems to be forgotten sometimes. Chelsea do need depth on the wing, especially because of injuries, but whoever it is who comes in does not necessarily need to halt the development of one of England's finest young talents.
Rapadostuz
1
Noni must put effort to be in starting lineup for Chelsea 💙💙💙
lamacenpuz
1
why not keep Lukaku he is a high profile striker all this boys are still amateur and give James captain when you have thiago Silva is disrespectful for real💯
we r planning for thw future
liwbdinprs
0
I must say that, I wouldn't understand why one would have a player like Madueke and sit him on the bench. The guy is young, growing, great, a dribbler, fast enough and will easily improve if given enough time.
Powciknrt
0
Was NOT deemed good enough for England U20 team in finals yet he is Chelsea saviour oh good god have mercy on Chelsea
Bro you can’t judge football from that angle look at James he’s not a starter in England team either but we all Kinows he’s one of the best or rather better than who’s the starter
Peniaskaumbwa
2
I can see most of you here are not soccer fans,you must understand that this Chelsea team is full of young players with little to no experience at this level of football so they need abit of time to learn and perfect there craft.so you don't expect them to be best players just yet
Peniaskaumbwa
1
useless Chelsea
it's you and your entire family that are useless
midabdelpu
0
useless Chelsea
like your family
teeacdlpr
0
useless Chelsea
just play with the players you have
teeacdlpr
5
useless Chelsea
Wuyemnopty
1
why not keep Lukaku he is a high profile striker all this boys are still amateur and give James captain when you have thiago Silva is disrespectful for real💯
Stubbornness people that's why
Wuyemnopty
3
Was NOT deemed good enough for England U20 team in finals yet he is Chelsea saviour oh good god have mercy on Chelsea
Wuyemnopty
3
Unstoppable at running, dribbling the ball away from players and then he shoots into side net time and time again just watch him he never passes just runs and then it's goal kick
Ikomendiso
6
why not keep Lukaku he is a high profile striker all this boys are still amateur and give James captain when you have thiago Silva is disrespectful for real💯