Napoli skipper Lorenzo Insigne in action. (Getty Images)
After a spectacular start to the campaign, Chelsea have played some good football under Maurizio Sarri. The former Napoli manager has brought his philosophy of attacking and high pressing football at Stamford Bridge. He has really changed the morale of the team as players like Antonio Rudiger, Eden Hazard and Jorginho have shown for the Blues this time around.
The team seems to be benefitting from Sarri ball but there are still concerns about the attacking play in the final third. As of now, only Hazard has shown threat and power but to truly establish themselves as champions, the Blues need added reinforcements in the ongoing winter window.
According to an earlier report by Calciomercato, Maurizio Sarri is looking to sign his former player Lorenzo Insigne from Napoli. With a release clause believed to be in the region of €200million, it will be interesting to see if the Chelsea boss raids his former club.
After all, he had managed Insigne for three years at Napoli and it was under his management that the player started to flourish and improve his finishing.
At the moment, he is one of the best attacking players in the Italian League. The left-winger has scored 7 times and assisted another 5 in just 12 starts in the Serie A. He has played a crucial role in the resurgence of Napoli in the Italian league. Though he is naturally a left-winger, under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, he has been deployed in the role of a false nine in some of the games and has done well.
According to the playing style, Insigne is more like Hazard and is well suited to the philosophy of Sarri ball that Chelsea are getting accustomed to. He can play high intensity and attacking football upfront for the London outfit, which is what they have been lacking for some time now.
Other than Hazard, no one has really stood up for the Blues in the opposition’s half. With Insigne at Chelsea, the intensity of attacking play would definitely improve. His understanding with Jorginho can really turn the tide for a Chelsea side that is looking to challenge for the Premier League title.
Furthermore, it is no secret that Real Madrid have been targetting Hazard for quite some time now (h/t Daily Star). If the player were to leave, Insigne becomes a necessary target to replace the talisman. He can play a role similar to that of Hazard’s for Chelsea, while also fitting the profile of the player who can successfully implement the philosophy of Sarri-ball.
Having worked under Sarri before, he would be aware of the type of football that the coach is preparing to develop. His relationship with the manager is also quite remarkable. In Insigne, Sarri would be getting a player who can implement his ideas to perfection in the final third of the pitch.
If Chelsea can acquire Insigne from Napoli, it would improve their attacking play and also ease the burden on Hazard. Insigne can play up front either as a false number nine and also on the flanks, helping Sarri rest the Belgian now and then if needed.
If both Hazard and Insigne were to play on the same side, it would really become a nightmare for the opposition to deal with. Both of them are good dribblers and have got slick passing abilities. On top of that, if Chelsea can acquire a top-class striker, they could genuinely become the title contenders for the next season.
