As the Blues prepare for the future under a manager with extensive Premier League experience, Todd Boehly will be working to support new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino in the transfer market.
With no European competition in the upcoming season, Pochettino will be able to concentrate solely on domestic affairs, which may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Stamford Bridge team, which is on track for its worst season since 1993/94.
The Argentinean will be looking to add players to his first-team roster, and according to journalist Martin Arevalo, the Blues are interested in bringing playmaker Leandro Paredes from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Atletico Madrid is also interested and could pose a strong rival, though.
It appears as though Pochettino is already getting a head start on his transfer business as Chelsea have also made contact with the Argentinian’s representatives.
Leandro Paredes might be available this summer to Chelsea.
The midfielder’s PSG contract runs through 2024, so Chelsea might be able to sign him this summer for a steep discount.
He hasn’t had the best of seasons while on loan at Juventus; he’s only started eight Serie A games for the team and is only the 14th-best player in the lineup, while also ranking sixth in the team for key passes made per game and seventeenth for tackles made. This should not prevent Pochettino from making a move for the player that he previously coached at the French team, though.
He is, in fact, statistically comparable to the Real Madrid star, who is regarded as the second-most comparable player to Paredes, Toni Kroos, a German midfield maestro. Considering how incredible Kroos has been over the past decade — winning a tonne of major awards, including five Champions League titles — it isn’t a bad comparison to have.
Despite having a lacklustre season, Paredes ranks in the top 10% of players in his position across Europe’s major five leagues for passes attempted (70.61 per 90), pass completion rate (88.2% per 90), and touches (79.19 per 90) over the past year, indicating he is one of the best passers on the continent and is clearly at ease with the ball.
Leandro Paredes
The excellent passer Kroos also ranks in the top 1% for passes attempted (100.06 per 90) and touches (106.32 per 90), as well as in the top 3% for pass completion rate (91.1% per 90). Due to their comparable statistical profiles, Pochettino will be aware that if he makes a move for the 28-year-old, he will be able to easily control play from the midfield.
The 5 foot 11 wonder has been hailed as “perfect” by former PSG player Fabrice Pancrate, and there is no reason why he could not experience a new lease on life in England under his former manager.
