Chelsea target £38m star ‘perfect replacement for Kante’

Chelsea they have no shortage of talent in the midfield. Maybe that’s the least you can expect considering the money they put into improving the facilities in the middle of the park, but Enzo Maresca is certainly spoiled for choice.

First choice in midfield were Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Ecuadoriancost £115 millionwhich broke the British transfer record Chelsea spent £106.8 million to the winner of the World Cup in 2022. Although currently injured, Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia is also an important player for the Blues, and he cost £58 million.

Incredibly, the West London outfit may be looking to add another expensive midfielder to their squad.

Chelsea are targeting a new star in midfield

The player in question is a midfielder for Real Madrid and the French national team Aurelien Tchouameni. The 24-year-old is seen as someone who can leave the Spanish capital for the right price.

According to a report from SpainChelsea is one of the parties fighting for the Frenchman’s signature. The Londoners from West London in the race for the Frenchman were joined by the Premier League’s Liverpool and Manchester United, who ‘all showed interest’ in his signature.

The price for Tchouameni is currently unclear at this stage. However, it was valued at £38 million from Football transfersand Real Madrid’s intention is reportedly to sell the Frenchman ‘at a price that allows immediate reinvestment’ in his replacement.

Therefore, it is safe to assume that he will be another expensive signing for the Blues.

Why Tchouameni would be a good signing

Despite some injury problems this season for Tchouameni, the Frenchman has played an important role for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The former Chelsea manager wore his number 14 on 21 different occasions this term.

The 24-year-old has had several impressive performances this term, but perhaps none as powerful as the one against Real Betis in La Liga. According to Sofascorehe won 4/4 attacks, 8/9 ground duels and completed 93% of his passes.

Indeed, it is the Blues who will be hoping for performances like this from the French. If he delivers, then he could finally be the man to replace another French midfielder, N’Golo Kante. At least, that is what content creator Felix Johnston said back in 2021 amid the opening links, describing Tchouameni as “the perfect replacement for Kante”.

Former Chelsea star Kante was once dubbed “the best central midfielder in the world” club legend Frank Lampard with the 2018 World Cup winner simply superb for West Londoners. He made 269 appearances he scored 13 goals and registered 16 assists for the club.

He won the biggest honors at Stamford Bridge, including the 2020/21 Champions League. and the Premier League title in his first campaign with the club in 2016/17. That season, the former Leicester City star made 35 appearances as the Blues lifted their latest league title.

Indeed, it is clear to see the similarities between Tchouameni and Kante. Both are French defensive midfielders, who competed with the national team and won major trophies at club level before moving, or potentially moving, to Stamford Bridge.

However, you can further compare the duo with their statistics, courtesy of Squawka. Considering Tchouameni’s stats from this season and Kante’s from the 2016/17 title winning season, you can see how similar they are.

In 90 minutes this season, the Real Madrid star has an average tackle success rate of 59.42% on the ground, compared to 56.15% for the 2018 World Cup winner.

Kante’s ability on the ball is often better than people think, as shown by his 17.1 forward passes per game in 2016/17. Tchouameni is ranked even higher, with 22.5 forward passes this term.

Although the deal to sign Tchouameni would probably be expensive, but undoubtedly valuable for Chelsea. Not only could they add to the firepower in midfield, but the Blues could finally replace Kante, which has been a long time coming.