Chelsea are interested in a deal to sign AC Milan’s Rafael Leao in the summer, and the prolific winger could emulate the success of the Blues’ London rivals Tottenham Hotspur Heung-min Son with a move…
That’s according to La Stampa (via TMW), who claimed over the weekend that the Blues are now the most interested party in the player ahead of the summer transfer window, with Todd Boehly keeping one eye on the 23-year-old’s negotiations with Milan over a new deal, which have still not seen a breakthrough.
Chelsea have spent over £550m on new signings since last summer, Boehly’s first window as the owner of the west London outfit, and could look to continue the spree with the gem, who has a release clause of €150m (£134m).
Son 2.0
Scoring nine goals and providing nine assists from 28 appearances this season – including eight goals and six assists from just 16 starts in the Serie A – Leao is indeed emerging as one of the game’s finest and most thrilling young flankers, with Chelsea’s now prolonged interest in the player meaning that should contractual talks irrevocably fall apart, Stamford Bridge will be the likely location.
As per FBref, Leao ranks among the top 17% of positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for rate of goals and the top 10% for rate of assists, also in the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons.
Effectively, this illustrates his direct approach and dynamism as an offensive outlet that sets him a step ahead of the abundance of wingers plying their trade across Europe, with his innate footballing ability certainly complemented by his prolific output.
Indeed, based on those numbers and ability, the budding “superstar” – as heralded by sport writer Theo Mwangi – could replicate the devastating South Korean that is Son, just at Spurs’ fierce city rivals instead.
Son has made 353 appearances for the Lilywhites since his £22m move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, scoring 139 goals and registering 77 assists while also sharing the Premier League golden boot with Mo Salah last term.
And with Antonio Conte’s wing wizard boasting a dynamic skill set composed of ambidexterity and a unique advantage in maintaining speed with the ball at his feet, Leao could certainly take a leaf from the 30-year-old’s book if he does indeed clinch a move to the Premier League.
Indeed, compared to Leao, the Spurs ace sits in the top 7% of wingers in Europe for goals per 90 as a marker of their similarly clinical abilities.
Son is similarly creative, having registered an eye-catching ten assists last term while his direct speedy nature is highlighted by his career average of 1.4 dribbles a match.
Chelsea may well have spent large amounts of money on new signings, and while the wide areas appear to be nicely taking shape, the acquisition of Leao could be that ‘superstar’ signing to truly ensure the club soar to the very top of the European scene for years to come.
