Chelsea are considering a £42 million move for “Aries”

The first two weeks of ChelseaThe winter transfer window was dominated by chatter about who might leave. BlueCo was always ready to sit mostly on its hands, having strengthened itself richly over the past year.

High-class players have never flown to the Stamford Bridge team in great numbers, but Chelsea are one of the keenest operators in the transfer market and are always on the lookout for an exciting prospect.

Enzo Maresca he deserves all the praise for his progress with the Blues, guiding Chelsea away from the dysfunction and inconsistency that marred their efforts over the past few years.

There has been a bit of a lull in west London over the past few years, but this is a promising team in the making, still looking for the right pieces to get to the next level.

Chelsea wants to seal the signing of the statement

Multiple sources reported on Monday evening that Chelsea have requested the availability of Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, a long-time target in west London.

The German giants are reluctant to sell their 19-year-old but admire the Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku and he might agree if some kind of exchange contract was made.

Tel is a talented young striker, dynamic and versatile, but there are no guarantees that he will assert himself in the coming years, especially considering that he wiped out his 12 appearances in all competitions for Die Roten this season.

His potential is unquestionable, but Chelsea might be better off spending their energies on signing a player who has proven his mettle in the English top flight.

Stamford Bridge has been thrown out of whack over the past few seasons, but Chelsea are back on track and Maresa’s project could profit more from the Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.

Chelsea look at Tel alternative

Chelsea is fourth in the Premier League and will aim Champions League qualification; title, unfortunately, seems unlikely for this year. However, Maresca will be looking to push for gold in the Conference League and FA Cup, so signing a player like Delap could be a major factor.

Athletic reported that technical director Paul Winstanley included the 21-year-old centre-forward in the shortlist of five to ten possible attacking reinforcements.

Rumor has it that Ipswich is seeking a payout of £42 million parting ways with his successful number nine, and while Chelsea have Nicolas Jackson at the helm, this could be the perfect signing to complete Maresca’s first line.

What Liam Delap would bring to Chelsea

Last summer, Delap moved from Manchester City to newly promoted Ipswich in a £20m moveraising a few eyebrows, but also a lot of head nodding from analysts who saw the vision.

Ipswich are fighting to keep their place in England’s top division and have collected 16 points from 20 matches, finishing 18th but behind Wolverhampton Wanderers only on goal difference.

Delap was excellent as the team’s main source of goals, achieving eight goals and two assists in 19 matches while confidently leading the line.

He is a shooter, but Delap is hardly immobile, he does not rely on the creativity and movements of his colleagues. According to FBrefThe Englishman is ranked in the top 18% of Premier League strikers this season for successful take-ons at 90.

Tel has multiple shots from multiple angles, place among the top 9% Bundesliga striker last season for assists, top 6% for pass completion, top 18% for progressive passes and top 9% for successful take-ons per 90.

Indeed, the prospects for France have some strange qualities that could be effectively applied to Maresca’s system, nurtured and developed in the coming years. To be sure, Chelsea have the wealth of depth that would allow the teenager to take the necessary steps in the coming years without too much of a burden.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has noted that “the sky’s the limit” for prospects, but is he perhaps also slippery and protean talent? Are Chelsea in a better position to go down a more traditional route when targeting their next centre-forward?

Cole Palmer is an immovable presence at number ten, with Joao Felix serving as a wonderful foil, silky and skilful. Tel has proven that he can score goals, but given that he has yet to establish his best and most potent position, Delap would be a superior option for the greater good of Maresca’s project.

There is plenty to admire here. He is an ambidextrous, technically skilled player but, again, not what Chelsea need.

Delap has been described as a “one-man battering ram” by Opta Analystathletic and imposing as he gets into the danger area and shoots at the Ipswich goal.

The Tractor Boys surprised some by remaining on the edge of the danger zone instead of sinking deep at the bottom of the Premier League pit. Delap’s goals and authority as a main frontman were key to the success of Kieran McKenna’s side after back-to-back promotions.

The 180cm ace has missed just nine big chances in the Premier League this season despite scoring eight times, according to Sofascore. This is the sign of a truly clinical player, and with an average of 0.8 key passes per game, he is also a skilled playmaker.

For context: Jackson has hit a career-best nine in 19 games this season, missed ten big opportunities. Delap could be the perfect counterpoint, playing a similar tactical role while also bringing his own flair and bite.

Chelsea have some big decisions to make this month, but if Maresca wants to keep the fluidity of his squad intact, perhaps even expand it, then this is the move to make.