Assessing the playmakers on Chelsea's radar to replace Mount
With Mason Mount on the cusp of a move to Manchester United, Chelsea are in the market for another attacking player. The Blues are overhauling their squad following their 12th-placed finish last season, with N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic among those to have been shown the Stamford Bridge exit. Mount will be one of those departing the west London side before too long.
Chelsea have been linked with a number of creative stars to succeed Mount, and we assess three believed to be on their radar as they continue their squad rebuild.
After breaking onto the scene in 2020, Rayan Cherki really established himself as a first team regular for Lyon this season. While 13 of his 34 appearances came from the bench, the teenager maximised his time on the pitch, scoring four goals and registering six assists for the French side. Able to play on either flank and through the middle, Cherki's versatility on the frontline is an added bonus for new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino.
However, it is in the latter role that will suit his qualities. Pochettino is expected to use a 4-2-3-1 setup next season, so a player to operate in the number 10 role is a necessity. In theory, Mount would have been ideal, but the decision to cash in on the England international made sense considering he had just a year left to run on his deal in the capital.
The 19-year-old combines his dribbling quality with the ability to pry apart defences having ranked third for dribbles (3.8) and second for key passes per 90 (3.2) in France's top tier last term. Lyon have already lost Houssem Aouar to Roma on a free transfer, while Malo Gusto will return to Chelsea upon the culmination of his loan, so they will be eager to retain Cherki's services. However, with the Blues willing to spend big to revitalise their squad, the young Frenchman could make the move across the channel this summer.
🔐 Only Remy Cabella (3.6) made more key passes per 90 than Rayan Cherki (3.2) in Ligue 1 last season (25+ apps) pic.twitter.com/bjpUWJxV4M
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 2, 2023
After a real breakthrough season with Celta Vigo, interest in Gabri Veiga's services is high across the continent. Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked with a move for the Spaniard, while Liverpool and Chelsea are among potential suitors for the 21-year-old. Veiga scored 11 goals for Los Celestes as he played a key role in Celta avoiding the drop.
What makes Viega so appealing to potential suitors is that he can play a number of different roles in midfield. He routinely operated in a pair in Celta's favoured 4-4-2 formation last season, while featuring in the number 10 role on occasion, too. In the latter, he is able to really test the opposition goalkeeper from range. Indeed, of the 11 goals he scored, four were netted from outside of the box; no player scored more in La Liga last season.
This versatility in the middle of the park could therefore afford Pochettino the flexibility to use a 4-2-3-1 system or a 4-3-3 setup depending on the opponent, safe in the knowledge that Viega could shine behind the striker or in a deeper role in the midfield. Interest in his services is understandably high, but he is one who could revitalise the club in a key position.
Florian Wirtz - Bayer Leverkusen
Injuries impacted Florian Wirtz's campaign having made his first appearance of the season back in January, but the young German was influential in Bayer Leverkusen's progression to the semi-finals of the Europa League and sixth-placed finish. Despite registering just 1092 minutes of Bundesliga action, Wirtz still returned six assists last season, while in the Europa League; the 20-year-old finished top for dribbles (30) and third for key passes (25).
An ability to excel both in the middle of the park and out wide makes Wirtz an appealing option for the Blues as they look to assemble a youthful side that can challenge for the Premier League title. However, if Chelsea to plan to have Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson as the striking options next season, then it's in behind the frontman where Wirtz would shine.
Wirtz's capture would allow for Pochettino to use his ideal 4-2-3-1 system and with Enzo Fernandez providing the ammunition from a deeper midfield role, then the Bayer Leverkusen star could prove the perfect fit for the Blues. The Bundesliga outfit won't sell unless Chelsea stump up a hefty fee for Wirtz, but the quality in possession combined with the versatility he offers means he'd be a superb addition to this Blues outfit should they look to finalise a deal for the Germany international.
