Chelsea aren’t short of central midfielders with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher, but they’ve been unlucky with injuries.
Miguel Angel de Miguel Casas of Fichajes says the Blues have identified Aurélien Tchouaméni as an option. Lavia and Ugochukwu have spent the season on the treatment table, so Mauricio Pochettino may want an upgrade.
Who is Tchouaméni?
The 24-year-old joined Real Madrid from AS Monaco in 2022 and has made 82 appearances in all competitions. Tchouaméni is a regular at the Santiago Bernabeu and has four years remaining on his contract, so he won’t be sold. There’s no suggestion the French international wants out either.
Fichajes claim Tchouaméni’s level of performances have been low this season which gives Chelsea a chance of signing him. Tchouaméni surely wouldn’t leave Real, who look set to win the Liga title, for a Chelsea side in 9th. And Real have been starting him every week, so clearly they don’t want him gone.
The Frenchman would be a fantastic signing, being dribbled past fewer times per minute than any Chelsea midfielder. He completes more than 90% of his passes and gives away fewer fouls per minute than any Chelsea midfielder.
What will Chelsea do about their midfield?
Todd Boehly needs to stay in line of Financial Fair Play, so Chelsea may have to spend sensibly this summer. Real paid €100m (£86m) for Tchouaméni and agreed a contract worth €240k-per-week (£206k-per-week). He would be an expensive purchase if Chelsea tried to lure him away from Madrid.
It makes sense to trust in the options they have, as Lavia and Carney Chukwuemeka could prove useful when fit. Caicedo and Fernandez should improve with the season under their belt too, so the future is bright. There’s little chance Chelsea make a move for Tchouaméni, let alone convince him to West London.
In other news, read how Chelsea beat Manchester United thanks to a Cole Palmer hat-trick
