Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in action for Lazio. (Getty Images)
According to FC Inter News (h/t The Express), Chelsea are interested in signing Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic but Inter Milan remain at the front of the queue to sign him.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 25, has made 25 appearances for Lazio this season, scoring four goals and assisting as many times. He has been a crucial figure behind Lazio’s rise to the summit this season.
Chelsea have already signed Hakim Ziyech from Ajax. Ziyech will add value to Frank Lampard’s attacking ranks, having produced 8 goals and 21 assists in 34 matches across all competitions this season. After adding the Moroccan international to the ranks, Lampard should make it one of his priorities to add substance to his midfield department.
Jorginho has been a consistent performer in midfield under Lampard, but the Italian has received very little support from the likes of N’Golo Kante, Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic. Kante has endured an injury-hit campaign, while Barkley has blown hot and cold for the majority of the season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is yet to play this season, having been out since May with a ruptured Achilles. This makes the signing of a central midfielder very important for the Blues. Milinkovic-Savic joined Lazio from Belgian club in 2015 and has made 196 appearances in all competitions so far, scoring 36 goals.
He has been consistently chipping in with goals for the last few seasons—21 in 91 Serie A appearances—a healthy return from a central midfielder’s point of view. Adding a goalscoring midfielder would instantly boost Chelsea, whose first-choice central midfielders Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic have contributed to only eight goals this campaign.
The Serbian international can play in various positions across the middle of the park and this would benefit Lampard, who can change his game plan accordingly. He would be a great addition to the squad, given his record for Lazio and European experience.
Most of the players in the Chelsea side are young and Milinkovic-Savic would be a viable option to add quality to their midfield. He would bring competition as well as depth to the Blues squad next season.
Lampard and co. are fighting tooth and nail to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Having already announced the signing of Ziyech, the Blues would be wise to invest on an experienced Serie A midfielder like Milinkovic-Savic.
