Frank Lampard and Chelsea are confident that their two-window transfer ban will be cut short and they are already in search for players they can add to their squad in January.
The Blues are monitoring a number of players from around Europe and one player they continue to be linked with is Nice star Youcef Atal.
The youngster is also attracting interest from Valencia in Spain but reports from Daily Mail claim that Chelsea are ready to launch a £35m bid for Atal if their appeal against the transfer ban is successful.
But who is Youcef Atal and what will he bring to London?
Youcef Atal And His Numbers
Having moved to France for the first time in 2018, Atal did not take too long to cement a place in the first team at the Allianz Riviera.
Last season, he scored six goals, playing as a right wing-back and as a winger at times, showing confidence and maturity way beyond his age.
Atal is an all-round player, who is effective at both ends of the field. He can create chances in the final third but is equally adept at winning the ball back in dangerous areas.
He started his career as a right-back and registered 2.3 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per game in his first season. He also completed 3.5 dribbles per game, showing how effective he is on the wing.
He was rarely used as a right-back last season and has played both his games this season as a winger, in Patrick Vieira’s 4-3-3 system at Nice.
At just 23, Youcef Atal was also a part of the Algerian national squad that won their first AFCON in almost 30 years and should face no issues settling into life in the Premier League.
He already has 13 caps for the national side and could be a decent addition to the squad under Lampard at Stamford Bridge.
Youcef Atal: Where Does He Fit In?
Atal’s ability to play anywhere on the right flank will make him an invaluable squad option for Lampard but what makes him an attractive acquisition is his ability to add numbers to the attack playing as a right-back.
The Blues currently have Cesar Azpilicueta as the only option for that role while Reece James could be used once he is back from injury.
But Atal can replace both those names in years to come.
The Algerian full-back can learn from the Spaniard in his first season and has the quality to take up the mantle soon.
Chelsea, however, have a transfer ban to take care of so unless their appeal to the CAS is successful, they are in danger of losing Atal, a player they might be in need of in the coming seasons, to other clubs on the prowl in Europe.
