Chelsea are being linked with some of the best names in the business currently. Their league run has made many players eager to work with manager Antonio Conte with owner Roman Abramovic also ready to spend big this summer. One name has been in the news recently of being a potential replacement for Eden Hazard if the Belgian decides to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid. It is Fiorentina’s Federico Bernardeschi – the Italian winger who is Conte’s favourite player in the Serie A currently.
Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested in the 23-year-old attacker but Bernardeschi has made it clear that he won’t play for any club in Italy other than Fiorentina. Chelsea will need to spend close to £36 million on the winger which is not a huge sum to spend on a potential replacement for Hazard. He is still an unknown name to many but with 13 goals under his belt this season, Bernardeschi has made his reputation as being one of the best players in the Italian league.
The winger has grown in stature in recent seasons for Fiorentina and is slowly climbing the ladders of success. It was Conte who took notice of his potential and included him in Italy’s Euro 2016 squad. His dribbling abilities were talked about since he came onto the scene in Serie A but he lacked finishing qualities. He worked on his weaknesses and has already scored 13 for his side which is a commendable feat.
If Chelsea does sign him next season, it will be a brilliant investment on a player who is yet to reach his peak age and whose full potential is still untapped. His utility also makes him a perfect buy for the Blues whether it is at the expense of Eden Hazard or not. If Hazard leaves, Bernardeschi can play on the left flank. If Pedro is given the role on the left then the Italian can also be deployed on the right in Conte’s favoured 3-4-3 formation.
The former Juventus manager has also set his side up in a 3-5-2 system. Bernardeschi can play in a number 10 role as well with the 23-year-old possessing the required skill set to play as the trequartista. For Italy, he has also been deployed as a wing back which makes him possess an extra option for the Blues in that position. A player possessing Bernardeschi’s skills and flexibility won’t be found easily and Chelsea will be doing a sweet piece of business if they get this done.
