According to a recent report by French outlet L’Equipe (Premium Subscription Required), as quoted by Metro, Premier League giants Chelsea could finally get the chance to sign French striker Moussa Dembele in the summer, as Ligue 1 side Lyon are reportedly ready to sell their man. It has been suggested that the Blues will face competition from Manchester United for the former Fulham striker’s signature and that Lyon expect Chelsea to rekindle their desire to sign him in the summer.
The report further suggests that Dembele is eager for a new challenge and that his services could fetch upwards of £50m, especially given his sheer goalscoring prowess. Frank Lampard’s desire to acquire a new striker at Chelsea has been no secret, and despite their best efforts, the Blues were unable to secure a transfer in the winter window. It has been suggested in the report that Frank Lampard wants a player capable of competing with Tammy Abraham for the striker’s role and that Moussa Dembele fits the bill perfectly.
What Is Chelsea’s Current Striking Situation?
The Blues started the campaign with Tammy Abraham as the first-choice, with Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud behind him in the pecking order. Although the Englishman did hit the ground running, it could’ve been argued right from the start that there was an obvious lack of conviction in the final third of the pitch. It was after Tammy Abraham got injured after the holiday period that the Blues’ attacking struggles really began.
Despite giving Michy Batshuayi the opportunity in a couple of fixtures, Lampard was forced to bring Olivier Giroud back into the side in the second part of the campaign. The Frenchman delivered when required, but the fact remains that the west London side need to sign a top-quality striker to provide Tammy Abraham with the right kind of competition and motivation. Moussa Dembele does seem like one of the better options currently available in the market.
What Would Moussa Dembele Add To This Chelsea Side?
The French striker has past experience playing in England, having spent a couple of years in London plying his trade for Fulham. After moving back to the French league in the summer of 2018, the former PSG academy graduate has gone on to become one of the deadliest and most sought-after strikers in the whole continent. This season alone, the striker has scored 16 goals in 27 fixtures for Lyon, and he continues to impress with his involvement in build-up play.
Still only 23, the youngster has the best part of his career ahead of him, and a move to Chelsea could be precisely what’s required to bring the best out of the Frenchman. Similar to Blues legend Didier Drogba in his playing style as well as physical stature, it’s perhaps not overly surprising that Lampard has identified the Lyon man as a good option.
Drogba arrived from Ligue 1 side Marseille all those years ago, and the rest of his Chelsea career is now written into the history books. The similarity in their stories is apparent to see, and Lampard will do well to beat Manchester United to his signature in the summer.
