While the instant departure of Bernardo Silva following AS Monaco ‘s title-winning campaign have led many to think that the club has no power in retaining their stars, it might not be a fact. The French side seems to have kept their priorities right and knows well whom they should keep next season.
Kylian Mbappe is one of them for sure and another seems to be their central midfielder, Tiemoue Bakayoko. The 22-year-old has been Chelsea’s top summer target for a month now but it seems Leonardo Jardim is stubborn in his decisions. As per reports, the newly crowned Premier League Champions have given up on the French starlet turning their attention towards AS Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso.
Also 22, the French midfielder has earned some rave reviews owing to some cracking displays for the former Ligue 1 champions and is believed to be as good as his compatriot. Chelsea got a reality check in the FA Cup final following a dream Premier League run. The tireless N’Golo Kante and the combative Nemanja Matic couldn’t create any sort of impact and Antonio Conte found himself helpless with no plan B.
And the Italian manager has a bigger challenge next season when Chelsea challenge on four fronts with all teams already acquainted with their tactics. And now with Matic a possible departure in the summer, Tolisso seems like a perfect addition to their midfield. Reports claim that the club has even spoken to Lyon’s president Jean-Michel Aulas about a possible move, last week in London.
A central midfielder by nature, Tolisso is more defence-minded and can even play in the right-back’s position. The Lyon academy product has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists for the club in all competition. And his price tag, as per reports, is half of the mammoth £42 million that Monaco is demanding for Bakayoko.
Tolisso’s buy will definitely make sense in many ways although Chelsea will face a stiff competition from London rivals Arsenal, who are the player’s long-term admirers. Although the player’s willingness to participate in the Champions League should give Chelsea the edge. He expressed, “I don’t know if I’ll be in Lyon next year. I want to play the Champions League and the World Cup. To be at the World Cup, you have to play the very, very big games. And you play big games in the Champions League.”
Arsenal had their worst season in the Premier League since the last two decades, which means they will play in the Europa League now. Although Wenger could be really persuasive, Arsenal are yet to open talks with the player. If Chelsea quickens up the process, the Blues have a realistic chance of landing him.
