Chelsea are ready to raid Brighton and Hove Albion again, this time eyeing forward Leandro Trossard.
So far this season owner Todd Boehly has already brought Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge from the south coast as well as key members of his coaching staff.
They’re also in talks to finalise the appointment of their head of recruitment Paul Winstanley this week.
To add insult to injury they’re now keen on bringing the Seagulls’ top-scorer to West London in the January transfer window, potentially Potter’s first venture into the market in SW6, having signed Trossard as his second signing for £18m back in 2019.
What’s the word?
According to Chelsea Transfer Room, a move may materialise after the World Cup in which the Belgian will look to add to his 21 international caps, the £22.5m-rated talent has already proved his credentials in the Premier League, this season in particular where he’s scored seven goals and registered two assists in 12 games so far, five of those goals have come in three games against big six sides.
Trossard’s current contract in Sussex expires at the end of the season – but there is an option available to extend his deal by an extra year, Fabrizio Romano confirmed.
Unsurprisingly with the interest surrounding him, the Belgian isn’t rushing into a decision previously saying when asked about the Blues’ interest: “that will have to wait until after the World Cup.”
Potter’s dream addition
It seems the perfect recipe for the West Londoners with a player well-known to the manager potentially available on the cheap, he will also offer the Blues incredible versatility with the former Belgian champion deployed in six different positions in his career.
This would make him a huge asset to his former boss if they were to link back up in the capital.
Not only would he be an attacking upgrade with Trossard in the top 7% for progressive passes and the top 12% of shot-creating actions in the top-five leagues in Europe this season for forwards with 3.43 and 3.61 per 90 respectively (via FBref), but he also has a higher number of progressive passes than Raheem Sterling, who manages only 2.66 per 90.
The Brighton sensation, who was dubbed a “wizard” by journalist Charlie Haffenden, also has staggeringly the same amount of shot-creating actions as the Englishman despite playing for a side further down the table, showing just how creative he really is.
He could also play an important role in Potter’s tactical shifts with the Blues boss openly admitting he made a mistake in the 4-1 defeat at the AMEX on the weekend by playing Sterling and Christian Pulisic at wing-backs – it is a position he’s played seven times this season under the now Chelsea boss and new manager Roberto De Zerbi.
That experience would surely be welcomed by the Blues in the absence of Reece James, with no real alternative to the injured Englishman.
Maybe the only thing left for Trossard to prove could be on the biggest stage of them all in Qatar, the 27-year-old has only featured in 75 minutes of action at major tournaments for the Red Devils but with the former Genk star only one goal and one assist behind last seasons total, we can expect to see much more of him at the World Cup, Boehly will be hoping so too.
