As reported by CaughtOffside, Premier League club Chelsea are interested in signing Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci next summer. However, they will face neck-to-neck competition from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
The story of Samuele Ricci
Samuele Ricci moved to Torino from Empoli in the January window of 2022. Since then he has taken huge strides and emerged as a reliable name on the team sheet. He is one of the brightest prospects and has attracted interest from multiple clubs.
Ricci featured in 33 games last season and found the back of the net once. He also provided four assists in the process. He averaged 0.9 shots, 0.8 key passes, and 0.3 dribbles per game (stats via whoscored).
The Italian midfielder is versatile to play as a defensive midfielder or even in an attacking role. He is technically sound, focuses on his positioning and has good defensive traits. He also makes progressive passes and is an excellent carrier of the ball.
Samuele Ricci’s pursuit makes no sense
Chelsea sold Conor Gallagher in the summer to Atletico Madrid and hence, they have a place to fill. Samuele Ricci is a rising star and he could be a long-term investment. His versatility to don different roles in the middle of the park is also a surplus point.
However, it will be interesting to see if Ricci would entertain the opportunity to join Stamford Bridge. He understands that he will not be a regular starter. He will be the choice after the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, which can hinder his development.
On the other hand, Torino want around €50m to let the 23-year-old. Hence, it might not be a wise decision to invest that much in a player, who is unlikely to even start the games. With other clubs interested, they might be a better option for Ricci.
