According to a recent report by France Football (translated by The Sun), Chelsea are ready to make a late offer for Atletico Madrid wing wizard Thomas Lemar this month. The same source has also stated that the Pensioners will face fierce competition from Arsenal and Manchester United in pursuit of the La Liga wide player with Atletico currently demanding £51m for his services.
Lemar’s Recent Frustrations In Spanish Football
Lemar can be labelled as a flop signing at the Spanish capital after he failed to leave a positive impression since joining from AS Monaco in the summer of 2018. The French playmaker has featured in 21 matches for Diego Simeone’s side this term but is yet to score a goal or earn an assist so far in this campaign.
The 24-year-old is currently sidelined due to a muscle injury. Lemar has averaged 0.6 tackles, 0.5 shots, 0.4 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per game in the Spanish first division (stats via whoscored). He has also represented France at various youth levels and has gone on to earn 22 senior caps for Les Bleus so far, netting four goals in the process.
What Will The France International Add To Lampard’s Side?
Lemar has decent pace in his locker and can be penetrative dribbler with the ball at his feet in the opposition half. He excels at playing short, crisp passes with others around him and has the vision to pick out a killer pass in the final third. He is also an accurate crosser of the ball from the wide positions but needs to work on improving his productivity at the highest level.
There is no hiding from the fact that Lemar is a player low on confidence after failing to prove his worth in the Spanish top-flight this season. However, Frank Lampard could provide him with an escape route by bringing him to Stamford Bridge before the end of this month.
Since losing Eden Hazard last summer, Chelsea have sometimes lacked creativity from their wide players so Lemar could potentially resolve that issue as he has the potential to become a world-class winger someday. Lampard will have enough firepower up top if he can find a way to land Lemar this month.
With the Frenchman linking up with the likes of Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Willian at Stamford Bridge, the Pensioners should have enough cover and strength in depth to clinch a top 4 berth at the end of this Premier League campaign.
