The Player
Jakub Jankto of Serie A side Udinese is being linked with a move to Chelsea. The versatile midfielder is capable of playing as a playmaker, an attacking midfielder or a left midfielder depending on the team’s requirements. He has been in impressive form this season after scoring five goals and three assists in 18 appearances. His weekend brace against Crotone has seen the chase for him spice up with top clubs in Europe now interested in the Czech Republic player.
The 21-year-old midfielder is a threat from set pieces and has a knack for the long rangers with his overall game sure to develop more. He has a very affordable £6 million release clause which should not be a problem for any top club to activate.
The Situation At Chelsea
Chelsea have four first-team midfielders in N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Kante’s playing style makes him an absolute must for Chelsea and with Antonio Conte looking to stick to his 3-back formation, Kante’s role as a part of the dual axis in the middle of the park is pivotal.
His defensive ability to tackle and intercept as if almost second nature allows freedom to Cesc Fabregas and the Spaniard is able to conduct play as if in an orchestra. Kante’s experience of knowing when to sit back and when to push forward also makes him invaluable especially if Chelsea are to bring young Tiemoue Bakayoko up to speed in the Premier League.
It is almost impossible in the current market to find a player of Kante’s qualities and his unselfish nature of play helps the entire team flourish. Bakayoko is still lacking in a lot of areas of his game although Chelsea will want to be patient with him given his age and the money they spent on him. Drinkwater is an effective midfielder and since returning from injury, he has shown that he has it in him to dawn the Pensioner’s jersey on a regular basis. He is never the flashy player although having his ex-teammate Kante by his side allows Drinkwater to comply with his task of playing box to box.
Why Should Chelsea Still Chase Jakub?
The Blues are yet to see the best of Bakayoko and top clubs cannot afford to wait so long. Moreover, Fabregas is turning 31 next year meaning that a new midfielder could be the order of the day.
However, the most crucial factor for Chelsea chasing Jankto will be the fact that the versatility of the left midfielder would allow him to fill in multiple positions like the left wing-back, central midfield, attacking midfield and left wing forward. Chelsea could use a player of his potential and versatility given the Blues’ thin squad.
