Chelsea ‘make checks’ on ex-Tottenham attacker as Pochettino eyes alternative to £40m Arsenal man

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·29 August 2023

Chelsea ‘make checks’ on ex-Tottenham attacker as Pochettino eyes alternative to £40m Arsenal man

Marcus Edwards and Bukayo Saka.

According to reports, Chelsea have been considering a move for Sporting Lisbon attacker Marcus Edwards, who has been impressing for the Portuguese side.

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It’s been made clear in recent weeks that Chelsea are in the market for another attack-minded player.

The Blues were pursuing Michael Olise and they activated the player’s £35m release clause but the winger later opted to commit his future to Crystal Palace by penning a contract extension.

Chelsea subsequently joined the race to sign Nottingham Forest attacker Brennan Johnson but it is now looking likely that the Wales international will sign for Tottenham Hotspur.

Former Spurs academy product Edwards enjoyed a superb season in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon in 2022/23. He grabbed 12 goals and 14 assists in his 51 appearances across all competitions.

it was reported earlier this year that Spurs were interested in re-signing Edwards but Chelsea – according to The Telegraph – have ‘made checks’ on the forward. The report adds.

‘Chelsea made checks on Sporting Lisbon’s Marcus Edwards, who Mauricio Pochettino nicknamed ‘mini Messi’ at Tottenham, a few weeks ago but nothing transpired, while interest could be revived in Raphinha, who moved to Barcelona instead of Chelsea last summer. ‘Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe has also been linked with Chelsea and Pochettino has made it clear that he would like a new offensive player to be Premier League ready.’

Football Insider have reported that Smith Rowe is valued at £40m and while Sporting Lisbon’s asking price for Edwards is unclear, he is rated at €30m by transfermarkt.

Back in 2016, Mauricio Pochettino likened Edwards to Argentina superstar Lionel Messi.

“The qualities – it’s only looks, his body and the way that he plays – remember a little bit from the beginning of Messi,” said Pochettino. “He’s small, he’s left-footed, I remember a little bit [Erik] Lamela when he was at River Plate.

“Remember he had long hair, when he was 14, 15 years old, there is a lot of videos on YouTube that you can see, that he took the ball, didn’t give a pass and shot straight away.

“[Edwards] is a very good prospect and potentially he can be a top player, but we need to be patient and tell him that he has a lot of talent, enough talent to be a top player, a great player. But now it’s how he builds his future, that’s very important. And it’s our responsibility to tell him.”