Chelsea have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong.
The Netherlands Under-21 international joined Bayer Leverkusen from Celtic in January 2021 and has gone on to make 64 appearances for the Bundesliga side, registering seven goals and 12 assists. The ex-Manchester City youth team star has been on fire this season with five goals and two assists in 17 games across all competitions.
According to Football Transfers, Jeremie Frimpong’s performances have caught the attention of Chelsea ahead of the January transfer window. The Blues will face stiff competition from a number of top European clubs, however, with even Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looking at the Bayer Leverkusen starlet, the report adds.
Frimpong is lighting up Bundesliga with his exciting displays for Bayer Leverkusen, and despite speculation over his long-term future, the full-back remains focused solely at the moment on making the Netherlands squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Jeremie Frimpong to Chelsea—Should Potter go ahead?
Graham Potter endured his first blip as a Chelsea manager on Saturday in the harrowing 4-1 defeat to Brighton—his former employers. Prior to that, Chelsea were on a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions since Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in September.
The defeat was coming and it showed up at Brighton after Chelsea were outplayed by Brentford and Man United last week in consecutive draws, suggesting that it isn’t going to be a quick fix for Potter at Stamford Bridge.
The Pensioners spent heavily in the past summer transfer window under the new ownership, signing as many as eight players; however, they must undergo further transformation across the next few windows to give Potter the players that suit his style of play.
The Blues are apparently targeting a new right-back in January with Reece James injured at the moment. James was Chelsea’s best player this season before suffering a knee injury against AC Milan in the Champions League that has put his World Cup hopes in jeopardy. As a result, it is not surprising to see the west Londoners keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.
Jeremie Frimpong has established himself as one of the continent’s most exciting young full-backs with his adventurous and energetic displays for Leverkusen. Traditionally a right-back, he has been deployed in a more advanced role on the right this term and his returns have been good, with five goals and two assists already under his banner.
The Netherlands youth international is quick, smart, energetic and tenacious with solid passing technique and defensive skills. One can expect Frimpong to seamlessly fit into Potter’s system at Chelsea, whilst bringing competition for places within his squad. The youngster ticks all the right boxes in terms of what the Blues boss looks for as far as the modern-day full-backs are concerned.
At 21, Frimpong has a long way to go in his career and could unlock his true potential at Stamford Bridge under an astute tactician in Potter. However, with Man United also heavily linked with him in recent weeks, Chelsea must accelerate their pursuit of him.
