Chelsea's Transfer Strategy and the Future of Yakson通昭配资
Under the leadership of Maresca, Chelsea had a remarkable season last year, winning the UEFA Conference League and securing fourth place in the Premier League, marking their return to the Champions League after a two-year hiatus. Additionally, Chelsea made a strong run in the FIFA Club World Cup, advancing to the final.
The team’s roster is already incredibly strong, but Maresca isn't one to rest on his laurels. During this summer’s transfer window, Chelsea has been active, making significant signings to further strengthen the squad. Already, the club has spent 100 million euros to bring in two strikers—Drap and Jo?o Pedro—leading to a crowded frontline. To comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, Chelsea will need to offload some players in the near future to balance their books.
展开剩余87%According to The Telegraph, Chelsea is open to offers for their starting striker, Yakson, from last season. With the arrivals of Drap and Jo?o Pedro, Yakson’s position in the starting lineup for the upcoming season is uncertain, and if an appropriate offer comes in, Chelsea would be willing to sell him. Top clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, AC Milan, and Juventus, are reportedly interested in signing the striker, and Chelsea has set his asking price at 60 million pounds (approximately 70 million euros).
Yakson’s Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Senegalese forward, Nikola Yakson, born on June 20, 2001, began his professional journey in 2019 when he moved from his home club, Casa Sports, to La Liga's Villarreal. In the 2021-22 season, he joined the first team at Villarreal, beginning his rise in European football.
During the 2022-23 season, Yakson made 36 appearances for Villarreal, starting 19 of those games. He scored 13 goals and provided 5 assists通昭配资, showcasing his immense potential.
In the summer of 2023, Chelsea secured Yakson’s services for 37 million euros, making him the Blues' main striker.
Standing at 1.87 meters tall and weighing 78 kilograms, Yakson possesses remarkable physical attributes. He is not only strong but also fast and agile. Technically, he excels at dribbling and ball control. He’s capable of holding off defenders in the box while also dropping deep to participate in the build-up play.
Chelsea’s 2023-24 Season and Yakson’s Performance
During the 2023-24 season, Yakson made 44 appearances for Chelsea, starting 39 of those matches. He scored 17 goals and provided 6 assists, making significant contributions to the team’s attack. His robust physical presence and hard-hitting style of play earned him comparisons to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, with many fans dubbing him the “new Drogba.”
Under Maresca’s leadership, Yakson was regarded as a key player, serving as the focal point of the attack in Chelsea's front three. In the first half of the season, he was consistently among the goals, though his performances were sometimes inconsistent. Having joined professional training later in his career, his technical foundation, while strong, was not as solid as some of his peers. This occasionally led to unforced errors in crucial moments, which began to erode Maresca’s trust in him.
In the 2023-24 season, Yakson made 37 appearances, starting 31 games. He scored 13 goals and provided 6 assists, directly contributing to 19 goals. Interestingly, none of his goals came from the penalty spot. Despite his impressive tally, his inconsistency remained a concern, and it became clear that further development would be needed for him to reach his full potential.
Chelsea’s Summer Transfer Strategy and Yakson’s Status通昭配资
This summer, Chelsea’s primary focus in the transfer market has been to strengthen their forward line. The club invested heavily, spending 35.5 million euros to sign Drap and 63.7 million euros on Jo?o Pedro, both of whom are natural central strikers with well-rounded abilities and clear tactical roles.
During the FIFA Club World Cup, Maresca implemented a thorough rotation policy, and Yakson started the first match before being substituted in the second match. However, a red card for Yakson led to Chelsea’s loss in that game, and he was not named to start again after that. In contrast, new signings Jo?o Pedro and Drap impressed, with Jo?o Pedro scoring twice in the semifinals to send Chelsea into the final.
This series of events essentially sealed Yakson's fate as a backup player for the upcoming season, potentially even falling to third choice for the striker position. At Chelsea, aside from the central midfield trio, no player is considered untouchable, and Yakson is no exception.
Currently, Yakson’s market value stands at 50 million euros, with his contract lasting until June 2033 and a weekly wage of 100,000 pounds (around 6 million euros annually before tax).
The Transfer Market and Chelsea’s Price Tag for Yakson
In this summer’s transfer window, top-quality strikers are in high demand, and the asking prices for players like Zhe Kairai, Ekiti, and Sesko have all reached upwards of 80 million euros. Consequently, Chelsea has set Yakson’s asking price at a hefty 70 million euros.
Arsenal and Manchester United, both seeking a striker, have good relationships with Chelsea, and recent seasons have seen frequent transfers between the clubs. Arsenal already has former Chelsea players like Havertz, Madueke, and Kepa in their ranks, while Manchester United has Mason Mount and is also reportedly interested in several of Chelsea's summer signings, including Ghanaian forward Menou.
Although Yakson has some inherent flaws, over the past two seasons, he has adjusted well to the physicality and pace of the Premier League. If Arsenal or Manchester United don’t have a better option, signing Yakson would make perfect sense.
For Italian clubs like AC Milan and Juventus, meeting Chelsea's asking price could prove difficult. If Yakson is unable to find a permanent move this summer, a loan deal remains a possibility.
With the summer transfer window in full swing, the question remains: where will Yakson end up this season?
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