According to Metro, Chelsea have added OGC Nice right-back Youcef Atal to their list of potential transfer targets for the summer, despite Nice manager Patrick Vieira warning the suitors that the club has no intention of selling the 22-year-old Algerian international at the end of the season.
Metro also reports that Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are also interested in securing Atal’s services following his impressive breakthrough season in Europe, while Nice have slapped a daunting €40million price tag on the youngster to ward off the suitors.
Chelsea are still waiting to hear the verdict of FIFA’s Appeal Committee regarding the two-window transfer ban, though manager Maurizio Sarri is hopeful of having the ban overturned or delayed.
That, however, hasn’t stopped the Blues from continuing to monitor their potential transfer targets for the upcoming window and Youcef Atal is the latest addition to the manager’s wishlist.
Born in Boghni, Algeria, Atal started his professional career in his homeland at Paradou AC and spent time on loan at Kortrijk in the Belgian top-flight before completing a move to Nice last summer.
The versatile 22-year-old, who can play anywhere down the right-hand side of the pitch, has made eyeballs turn with his consistently impressive performances in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 6 goals from 25 league appearances.
Atal has emerged as one of the hottest young talents in the French top division this term and his scintillating form has put him on the radar of some of the top clubs in Europe. The youngster is likely to be a man in demand this summer, with so many European giants monitoring his progress, though Nice’s daunting price tag might be a bit of an issue.
The Algerian international came into the team as a right-back but he has often played further up the pitch under Patrick Vieira this season. The youngster has earned rave reviews for his wonderful close control and remarkable dribbling skills, while also showing the desire to get into the box to score goals.
Defensively, he has showcased the ability to read the transitions in play effectively and has impressed with his fearless tackling and high work-rate.
Atal boasts of a pass accuracy rate of 82.8 in Ligue 1 this term, including 3.4 dribbles, 2.4 tackles, 1,7 interceptions and 1.3 clearances per game, figures which are remarkable for a right-back.
However, the main question is- Do Chelsea really need to spend such a massive amount to bring in a new right-back? And, would Atal be an upgrade on Chelsea’s existing options?
The answer to that would be a straight No. Cesar Azpilicueta might not fall in the bracket of a modern-day flying full-back but he is still Chelsea’s designated club-captain and the Spaniard has been a regular under Sarri this season.
Azpilicueta is still very much in his prime and someone like Atal, who has just enjoyed his breakthrough season in Europe, can hardly be considered as a viable option to provide the veteran with any real competition.
David Zappacosta’s potential departure in the summer would leave the Blues short of adequate cover at right-back but they need to look no further beyond than academy product Reece James to play the role of an understudy to the Spaniard.
Reece James has been one of the standout performers of Chelsea’s loan army this season and has proven his worth as an aggressive right-back on his loan spell at Wigan Athletic in the Championship.
The 19-year-old has been an undisputed starter for Paul Cook’s side in the second division and has contributed with 3 goals and 3 assists from 44 league appearances.
The youngster has averaged 2.1 tackles, 2.4 clearances,1.7 key passes, 1.6 crosses and 2.6 successful long balls per game in the Championship this season, figures which are as good as Nice’s right-back Youcef Atal.
James’ red-hot form in the Championship has put him on the radar of Man United (h/t Sun), which clearly shows how good a player he is at the age of 19.
It would make little sense for Chelsea to spend close to €40 million on Youcef Atal when they have already got an immensely talented youngster like James, who is ready to make the step up to the Premier League.
Moreover, James is much more secure defensively as compared to Atal and given that he has honed his skills playing in the youth and reserve level at Chelsea, he could fit into the first team very easily.
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Chelsea do need to bring in reinforcements in the summer but they would be better off investing in other areas to their squad.