Chelsea and Todd Boehly would love to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, who was a target in the summer transfer window just gone.
What’s the word?
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who has informed GIVEMESPORT of Chelsea’s desire to add Leao to their attacking ranks in a bid to address their goalscoring inefficiencies.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke said: “Chelsea did make an approach during the summer transfer window, which was flatly rejected by AC Milan.
“Obviously, we know they’ve had problems scoring goals over the last season and even this season, so I’m sure Leao is somebody they would love to bring to Stamford Bridge. But it seems Milan are pretty insistent that they see his future at the San Siro.”
A sensational claim
With the reliable O’Rourke making a sensational claim over Chelsea’s latest ambition to sign 23-year-old Leao, you can completely understand why when you take a look at his level of end product, and world-beating metrics.
Having chipped in with an impressive 26 attacking returns in 42 appearances for Milan last season, the €150million-mooted star established himself as a key figure for the Rossoneri, finishing the domestic season as their joint top goalscorer with 11 goals and finishing as the lead assists provider with eight assists.
The Portugal international is seemingly adding consistency to his game, having continued that scintillating form in the new campaign, which has seen him notch a staggering nine goal contributions in the form of three goals and six assists in all competitions, with his ability as an inside forward clearly of elite ilk.
His ability to progress the ball is what would make him such a deadly weapon for Graham Potter’s Chelsea side, with his match average of 8.56 progressive carries and 3.29 carries into the final third placing him around the top 10% in comparison to positionally similar players around Europe’s top five leagues.
With the way Potter sets up his central players as the initiators for an attacking transition, Leao would benefit hugely from this as a progressive goalscoring forward.