Why Chelsea would be wise to activate buy-back clause for Jeremie Boga

According to Daily Mail, Chelsea could be set to trigger a buy-back clause for Jeremie Boga, who left Stamford Bridge to join Italian outfit Sassuolo on a permanent deal back in the summer of 2018. 

The 22-year-old’s rich vein of form in the Serie A has attracted interest from Spanish heavyweights Barcelona, who have opened talks with Sussuolo ahead of a potential transfer during the mid-season trading period in January. (h/t Daily Mail)

Boga, who only managed 3 goals and an assist in 25 league outings for Sassoulo last season, has already bagged 4 goals and an assist in 13 Serie A appearances so far this term.

Chelsea could scupper the La Liga giants’ transfer plans by exercising a buy-back clause, which they had inserted in the deal when Boga completed a permanent transfer to Sassuolo in 2018. 

As per the agreement, the Blues hold to the right to bring the Ivorian back to Stamford Bridge for a fee of £3.5 million, the same amount which they had received from Sassuolo while cashing in on the youngster. 

Boga, who came through the youth system at Chelsea, spent time on loan at Rennes in Ligue 1 and at Granada in the La Liga before earning his Premier League debut for the Blues against Burnley during the 2017-18 campaign. 

However, he was once again loaned out to Birmingham City in the Championship for the latter half of the campaign before Sassuolo negotiated a permanent deal with Chelsea to bring the winger to the Italian top-flight.

Now, with Boga showing obvious signs of development at Sassuolo, the Blues are exploring the possibility of bringing him back to the club in January for a thrifty fee. The 22-year-old has proven his worth at a mid-table outfit in the Serie A and rejuvenation away from West London certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Despite the likes of Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount making a big impact in the Premier League this season, Chelsea are still somewhat light in the attacking midfield department and Boga definitely ticks all the boxes to provide some valuable cover for Lampard. 

Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have all improved their overall contribution in terms of attack under the new manager but with Ruben Loftus-Cheek yet to play a part this season due to a long-term calf problem, the return of a versatile attacker like Boga could possibly hand a boost to Lampard’s dynamics.

Meanwhile, the veteran duo of Willian and Pedro have gone through contrasting fortunes under Lampard. The Brazilian has established himself as an undisputed starter while the former Barcelona star has struggled for regular involvement in the playing eleven. 

Both Willian and Pedro will be out of contract in the summer of 2020. With that in mind, Chelsea certainly need to bring in some younger players to plug the gaps when the long-serving duo departs. 

Boga, who is capable of playing out wide on either flank and also through the centre in a No.10 role behind the striker, failed to make a big impression during his first stint at West London but he looks like a much-improved player now starring for Sassuolo in the Serie A.

As per whoscored, the 22-year-old boasts of a pass success percentage of 87%, which is truly remarkable for an attacking winger, while also registering 1 key pass, 1.7 shots and 3.7 dribbles per game in the Serie A this term. 

Moreover, the Ivorian still has a lot of room for improvement at 22 and he perfectly fits the transfer model of bringing in up and coming players laid out by the manager.

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Verdict

Suffice to say, Chelsea hijacking Barcelona’s move for Jeremie Boga could be a shrewd piece of business and one that might pay off handsomely for them moving forward.