Said Benrahma celebrates after a victory (Getty Images)
According to a report from Algerian pubilcation La Gazette du Fennec (h/t Metro), Chelsea have made an approach to sign Said Benrahma from EFL Championship outfit Brentford.
The 24-year-old spent his youth career at NRB Bethioua, Balma SC and US Colomiers before joining OGC Nice in 2013. However, he made just 18 first-team appearances, scoring and assisting three goals apiece.
After a series of loan spells at Angers, Ajaccio and LB Chateauroux, Benrahma joined Brentford permanently in 2018. Since joining the Bees, the Algerian winger has made 79 appearances, scoring 21 goals and creating 25 more.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have enjoyed a fairly impressive campaign under new boss Frank Lampard. At the time of suspension of football, the Blues were fourth in the Premier League table, which is quite impressive considering there was no investment made to strengthen the squad in the last two windows.
However, for them to bridge the gap to the top two clubs in England, Chelsea need to strengthen in the summer transfer window. Most importantly in the attacking department, where they need a top-class striker to complement Tammy Abraham.
At the same time, the Blues also need to bring in a new winger. Currently, Chelsea have Willian, Pedro, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi as the options on the flanks, while Lampard has also used Mason Mount out wide.
However, the Blues are staring at the prospect of losing Willian and Pedro at the end of the campaign, with both the seasoned campaigners nearing the end of their contracts.
In addition, Hudson-Odoi hasn’t been able to kick on after showing glimpses of his potential last season. Hence, bringing in a new winger in the summer would be a wise decision by Chelsea. Having said that, Benrahma would be a viable option for the Londoners to consider.
The 24-year-old has shone bright since arriving in England in 2018. Last season saw the Algerian finished with a brilliant tally of 11 goals and 17 assists in 45 matches across all competitions. He has continued in the same vein of form in the ongoing campaign as well, managing 10 goals and 8 assists in 35 matches.
Signing him would land Chelsea an in-form player who would add depth and quality to an area that is need of it, especially if Willian and Pedro end up leaving.
Benrahma has been a huge hit since arriving in England in 2018. The 24-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Bees, producing impressive numbers in both the seasons. With Chelsea set to lose two wingers in Willian and Pedro, adding the Algerian would serve them very well.
