Chelsea have talented AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni on their radar, and could make a move for him next year. The Frenchman has been exceptional for Monaco since signing for them in January 2020.
The Athletic have reported that Chelsea’s transfer department has kept close tabs on the 21-year-old and the Blues could make a move for him next summer.
The Blues opted not to pursue him this summer as they thought he didn’t have the experience to go straight into the first team.
Tchouameni has three years remaining on his current deal at the club. He made his France debut this month and earned his first start in the draw against Ukraine.
Aurelien Tchouameni to Chelsea – The right choice by the Blues?
Chelsea currently have a few top-class midfielders in their ranks. N’Golo Kante is seen as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, while Jorginho has earned plaudits for his performances with Chelsea and Italy.
Mateo Kovacic has shown his importance from time to time with solid displays in the Blues shirt, while Chelsea has also brought in Saul from Atletico Madrid on loan.
The London club also have in their ranks an exciting young midfielder in Billy Gilmour, who is touted to become a key player for the side. Conor Gallagher is also showing promise out on loan.
The Blues’ interest in Aurelien Tchouameni is surprising considering the depth of talent that they have in midfield at the moment. Manager Thomas Tuchel perhaps is worried about Kante’s consistent injuries and sees Tchouameni as his long-term replacement for the Frenchman. The 21-year-old has all the qualities to be a top-class defensive midfielder in Europe.
The AS Monaco midfielder is tall, strong and powerful, capable of breaking up attacks with his bellicosity at the middle of the park. He averaged 3.5 tackles per game last season for Monaco in the French league, while also averaging 1.7 interceptions per game. Tchouameni is also superb in the air, averaging 2.4 aerial wins per game last season.
He is a player who is composed with the ball at his feet, often making short, quick passes to move the ball ahead, while he also likes to venture forward and isn’t afraid at taking shots on goal.
Tchouameni could be a very good addition to the Blues squad and can help Tuchel’s side be even stronger with and without the ball.
But, signing the Frenchman could shackle some of the younger players at the club at the moment, so the club will have to take a call on that.