Why Chelsea should sign Pablo Sarabia in the summer window
According to Calciomercato, Chelsea are interested in bringing in Sevilla midfielder Pablo Sarabia to Stamford Bridge. They are set to take on Thomas Tuchel’s PSG in a battle for the Spaniard. Estadio Deportivo broke the news that the Blues have contacted Sevilla over a possible transfer. The midfielder was linked to Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang last month and a bid of €39million was rejected by the Spanish side.
Sarabia has scored eight goals and has assisted seven times in his 20 starts this season. The 26-year-old can play in a box-to-box role or as a central attacking midfielder and can fit in alongside Kante and Jorginho. He has also featured on both wings under ex-manager Jorge Sampaoli.
The 26-year-old came through the ranks at Real Madrid but failed to make a senior appearance for the club. He moved to Getafe from the Spanish capital in 2011. The Spaniard spent five seasons with the Azulones before sealing a deal to move to Sevilla.
In his debut season in Seville, the 26-year-old scored eight goals in 20 starts in the La Liga. Talking about this season, he averages a healthy 2.2 shots at goal every game with 1.9 key passes. The Spaniard also averages 1.1 crosses and 2.1 long balls per game with a decent passing accuracy of almost 80%. (Whoscored.com)
Sarabia under Pablo Machin has thrived in a central role and his link-up play with hitman Wissam Ben Yedder has been exceptional. The pair have a combined 29 goals and assists in the La Liga so far. With quick feet and a low centre of gravity, the 26-year-old can dribble either side of the full-back, delivering dangerous crosses or coming in-field to slide incisive through-balls to his teammates. He has the positioning sense to find of space between midfield and attack.
With Mateo Kovacic set to go back to his parent club Real Madrid at the end of the season, Maurizio Sarri will be left with Kante, Jorginho and Barkley in midfield. Danny Drinkwater has failed to start a single game for the Blues this season. Hence, Chelsea are expected to be in the market for an attacking midfielder, and Sarabia might just be the one to go for.
The Spaniard has less than 18 months left on his contract and also has a release clause of €22million which can be activated in the summer. With PSG also keen, Chelsea have to be quick if they want to bag the 26-year-old in the summer.
