According to a recent report from Calciomercato(via Talksport), Chelsea are lining up a £30m January bid for Hirving Lozano. The PSV starlet has been identified as a top target for the Blues, who are keen to bolster their attacking department following underwhelming performances from Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud.
However, they could face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, both of whom are also keen to sign the Mexican international. As a result, we could potentially witness a bidding war in January as clubs look to battle it out for the signature of Lozano. But can he prove to be a good signing for Chelsea?
Hirving Lozano: Player attributes and stats
Following a stunning debut campaign in the Dutch top flight, Lozano has once again impressed this season, scoring eight goals in ten games while providing three assists, helping his team maintain a five-point lead at the top of the table.
He is known for his sheer pace, which enables him to accelerate quickly in the final third with or without the ball. Lozano has averaged well over 2 dribbles per game this season, reflecting his tendency to take on defenders and with ease too, acquiring a dribble success rate of 61%.
Furthermore, he is also identified as a decent crosser while he can also switch between the flanks, having played on both left and right flank during his time with PSV. Indeed, Lozano’s tally of 19 key passes is only bettered by Angelino and attacking midfielder Gaston Pereiro.
However, what makes Lozano such a sought-after talent is his ability to provide a goalscoring threat in the final third. Despite being a winger, the Mexican international averages over three shots per game, 1.3 of which comes from outside the box.
A good signing for Chelsea?
Hirving Lozano would be an ideal addition to Chelsea for a number of reasons. One of the qualities that make him an appealing target for the Blues is his ability to work on both flanks. Thus, Lozano’s addition to Chelsea will offer Maurizio Sarri further depth in the attacking department.
Furthermore, his exceptional scoring prowess could be vital given the fact that both Morata and Giroud have underperformed this season, combining only four goals in the league so far. His sheer pace coupled with his dribbling qualities and mazy runs on the flank makes him a tailor-made fit for Sarri’s intense offensive gameplay in the final third.
Although spending a fortune on such an inexperienced talent could turn out to be a huge gamble, it’s a risk Chelsea should definitely take considering how much Lozano has shone in recent months and therefore, he certainly looks ready to take the next step in his career.
Also, the ability to take calls early and back the player a club identifies is of paramount importance in this market with a host of teams capable of spending big money. Hence, for a team like Chelsea, an attempt to sign Hirving is a logical move on most accounts and a one they should make.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored