Federico Chiesa (Getty Images)
According to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are keeping an eye on Federico Chiesa.
The £60million-rated winger is one of the top performers for the Serie A outfit and has been earning rave reviews in Italy for his displays. The 22-year-old Chiesa is his side’s top goal scorer in the league this season.
To add to his credentials, Chiesa has 5 assists to his name and is second to teammate Dalbert, who is Fiorentina’s top-assist provider with 6 to his name. The young Italian has been one of the top performers for his side in the last couple of years.
Chiesa enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season when he scored 12 goals and gave 5 assists from 41 matches across all competitions. A regular in the side since the 2017-18 season, young Chiesa’s potential was evident in the season prior to this.
In his maiden Serie A campaign back in 2016-17, a 19-year-old Chiesa raised a few eyebrows. He made 27 league appearances and netted 3 goals. A product of the Fiorentina youth academy, Chiesa has established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheets and has gone to play 129 matches for them to date.
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea have enjoyed a successful season this time, with the side staying fourth in the league at the moment. Lampard owes it all to his side’s younger talents, who have helped the Blues put up a good show after a transfer ban last summer disallowed them from signing new players.
The Blues’ academy graduates have repaid their manager’s faith in them by delivering results on the pitch that has seen the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Reece James break into the first-team line-up.
However, this won’t help them in the long run until he lands an established star. Moreover, with veteran wingers Willian and Pedro facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, Blues’ pursuit of Chiesa makes even more sense.
Both Willian and Pedro’s current contracts are set to expire this summer, leaving them with just Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi available. With the side clearly lacking depth in that area, ushering in the consistent and established Chiesa seems like the safest bet.
Veteran wingers Willian and Pedro are already past their thirties and it would only do Chelsea a world of good if they land a young but established player like Chiesa. Having performed consistently at the highest level, there is no questioning Chiesa’s talent. Thus, Chelsea should consider their options and secure the services of the in-form Fiorentina star.
