Chelsea could face a lot of competition and from some of their English rivals to sign one winger this summer.
Mauricio Pochettino is not exactly lacking in the wide positions right now. Chelsea have the likes of Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling in their squad, for example.
That being said, Telegraph journalist Matt Law recently suggested that the club would not stand in Noni Madueke’s way if the 22-year-old decides he wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Madueke has been a bit-part player this season, making just four starts in the Premier League.
The England U21 international or another winger leaving, then, could open up room for PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko to join the club.
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What is the latest on Johan Bakayoko and Chelsea?
The reliable Fabrizio Romano recently shared on Substack that scouts from the top clubs in England are constantly flying out to go watch Bakayoko play.
Who will win the race for the Belgian should one take place for his signature this summer?
Well journalist Patrick Berger recently claimed that Bakayoko is a top target for many clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.
How much could he cost? According to Berger, it could take a bid of €60m (£51m) to get the 20-year-old out of PSV.
Johan Bakayoko could be another Eden Hazard for Chelsea
Bakayoko’s numbers have not been terrible this season. In 25 Eredivisie games, the PSV man has scored six goals and provided eight assists.
What Bakayoko really thrives at, though, is dribbling, just like his compatriot and Chelsea legend Eden Hazard.
According to WhoScored, the Belgium international is completing 2.8 dribbles per game in the Eredivisie this term. It is the second-highest average in the division (minimum of five games played).
Over the last year, Bakayoko has ranked in the 99th percentile for progressive carries and the 96th for successful take-ons among attacking midfielders and wingers (FBref). Truly, then, this is a wide man who is capable of getting the better of his full-back like a certain Chelsea icon.
At 20, Bakayoko is still young and needs to improve. He may not be what this already young Chelsea team desperately need at this moment in time. But if a winger is sold this summer, perhaps Madueke or Raheem Sterling, it may be worth bringing Bakayoko in, something the club seem to be considering.
But some of their rivals appear to be doing the same thing, so it may not be an easy deal to pull off. Bakayoko is a name we are probably going to be hearing a lot about soon.
