EPL Index
·29 de julio de 2024
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·29 de julio de 2024
Chelsea ‘in contact’ with Tottenham Target: Chiesa in the Spotlight
The summer transfer window is buzzing, and Chelsea’s aggressive strategy under the leadership of Enzo Maresca has captured the attention of football enthusiasts. Maresca, Chelsea’s new manager, is on a mission to rebuild the squad to propel the Blues back towards the summit of the Premier League. With six new signings already under their belt, the London club is still on the hunt for more firepower, particularly focusing on a winger and a striker.
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Their pursuit of Juventus winger Federico Chiesa has everyone talking. As TEAMtalk reports, “Chelsea have opened talks with the agents of Juventus star Federico Chiesa, who has been linked with Tottenham and Arsenal recently.”
Federico Chiesa, whose contract with Juventus expires in just 12 months, has been a figure of immense interest across Europe. TEAMtalk highlighted, “As we exclusively revealed weeks ago, Chiesa’s agent, Fali Ramadani, has been offering the Italian international to clubs in the Premier League.” With Ramadani now in London for further discussions, the stakes are high as the winger’s services are secured at a salary demand of £130,000 per week.
Juventus, having signed Chiesa from Fiorentina for £54 million two years ago, may now let him go for as low as £20 million—a significant markdown. This makes Chiesa potentially the bargain of the season. Despite injuries hampering his progress, Chiesa has shown glimpses of returning to his peak form, evident from his 10 goals in 37 appearances last season. His performance during Euro 2020 had previously earmarked him as one of the world’s leading wingers.
Transitioning to the Premier League presents its unique challenges. Chiesa’s adaptability will be crucial, as the intensity and physicality of English football are vastly different from Serie A. Nevertheless, Chelsea’s interest in Chiesa is a clear indication of their intent to inject more creativity and competition into their squad, currently featuring talents like Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, and Mykhaylo Mudryk.
In the coming days, it will be intriguing to see if other Premier League giants like Tottenham and Arsenal intensify their efforts to secure Chiesa’s signature. As reported by TEAMtalk, the unfolding scenario around Chiesa could lead to one of the summer’s most high-profile transfers.
Federico Chiesa’s impact on the pitch can be quantitatively summarised through his recent performance data, as meticulously chronicled by Fbref. Within the last 365 days, his performance in key areas has positioned him in the upper echelons of forward players across Europe’s top leagues. Chiesa’s stats reveal a player with a particular knack for driving forward plays and creating scoring opportunities.
In terms of shot-creating actions, Chiesa is at the pinnacle, positioned in the 99th percentile with an impressive average of 4.79 actions per 90 minutes. This statistic alone sets him apart as a pivotal figure capable of altering the dynamics of a game through his actions. His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) of 0.23 and non-penalty goals rate of 0.33 per 90 minutes position him well, although there’s room for improvement in his finishing.
Chiesa excels in progressive carries, where he is in the 97th percentile, demonstrating his ability to advance the ball and break lines, a critical attribute in modern football. His successful take-ons rate, standing in the 84th percentile, further accentuates his capability to maintain possession and create in tight spaces.
Despite the impressive high-end metrics, there are areas of potential growth. His pass completion percentage sits at 69.9%, reflecting a need for improvement in maintaining possession under pressure. This could enhance his overall impact by ensuring that his creative efforts are not lost.
In summarising Federico Chiesa’s performance, the data provided by Fbref paints the picture of a dynamic forward who is not only integral to his team’s attacking phases but also someone whose influence on the pitch is extensive and measurable. His contributions are a blend of tactical intelligence, physical prowess, and technical skills that make him a standout player.