Chelsea: £106k-a-week star 'worthy' of Stamford Bridge move | OneFootball

Chelsea target Lorenzo Pellegrini ‘would suit’ the club but prising him away from AS Roma would be ‘difficult’, according to Serie A journalist Carlo Garganese.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent months following a string of outstanding performances for his boyhood club both domestically and in Europe.

What is the latest news involving Pellegrini?

A report from The Telegraph last month claimed that Chelsea are ‘looking at’ the possibility of signing Pellegrini as a contingency plan if Mason Mount refuses to sign a new contract.

The 23-cap Italy international only put pen to paper on a five-year deal worth £106,000-per-week as recently as October 2021, though, meaning he wouldn’t come cheaply.

Pellegrini has also been named captain of Jose Mourinho’s side, and his ingrained connection to Roma could prove to be a major stumbling block for any admirer of his.

Nevertheless, Chelsea are said to be a fan, and with Mount set to enter the final 18 months of his existing deal, they could try their luck for Pellegrini sooner rather than later.

What has Garganese said about Pellegrini?

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Garganese said: “Pellegrini, I think he would suit and fit the team, for sure. I think he’s a top player, he’s worthy of a top club like Chelsea.

“But the problem is with Pellegrini is he’s Roman born and bred, a Roma fan, has a huge association and connection with the club and the city.

“And we’ve seen in the past, this is a very Roman thing that Roma players, even world-class ones that could play for the best teams in the world, they don’t generally leave Roma.

“They’re more connected with that club and maybe any other team in Italy, or anywhere really. (Francesco) Totti we saw spent his whole career there, (Daniele) De Rossi, basically his whole career until he had a swansong.

“Pellegrini is from the exact the same mould as Totti and De Rossi, and he only recently signed a new contract as well. It will be difficult to take him away from Roma, that’s always a problem with these Roman-bred players.”

Would Pellegrini be a good signing?

39 goals and 50 assists in 211 appearances across all competitions for Roma and is well-liked by Mourinho.

As per FBref, the 6 foot 1 ace has also ranked in the 97th percentile for interceptions, 89th for total shots, 84th for shot-creating actions, and 82nd for tackles amongst his positional peers over the last year.

Pellegrini is evidently a player capable of contributing both in and out of possession, therefore, although Chelsea may be forced to move on to alternative targets.