£61m “game-changer” wants to join Chelsea

While the idea of ‘winning the transfer window’ is a rather nebulous one, it would be fair to say Chelsea are at least in the running this year.

The Conference League champions have made several smart sales already this summer and have significantly bolstered Enzo Maresca’s core squad.

For example, the likes of Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap will all bring goals to West London next season and could help fire the Blues into a genuine Premier League title race.

Yet, BlueCo aren’t done there, as reports are now linking the club with an international star who could be their own answer to Rodrygo.

Chelsea star who could be their own Rodrygo

While Rodrygo has been touted for a move to Chelsea a few times this summer, it’s been their rivals who have been more consistently linked with the Real Madrid star, like Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

Worryingly, the former Santos gem is the sort of player who could seriously improve those sides, and with this price tag appearing to be around the £86m mark, it doesn’t seem unrealistic that one of them will get their hands on him at some point this summer.

However, the Blues faithful need not worry, as it now looks like the club are closing in on someone who has been compared to the 24-year-old and could be Maresca’s own version of him.

At least that’s according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has reaffirmed that Chelsea are incredibly interested in signing Xavi Simons this summer.

In fact, the Italian journalist has revealed that talks between the West Londoners and RB Leipzig are now at an “advanced” stage and that the Dutchman has made it clear he “wants” the move.

Romano does not mention a potential price, but according to other stories from this month, a fee of around £61m should be enough to get the deal over the line, and while that is a lot of money, it’s worth it for a player of Simons’ quality, especially as he’s been compared to Rodrygo.

How Simons compares to Rodrygo

Before exploring other reasons Chelsea should sign Simons as soon as possible, it’s essential to examine the comparison to Rodrygo and where it comes from.

In this instance, it stems from FBref, which analysed players in similar positions in the Champions League last season and concluded that the Real Madrid star was the most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Leipzig ace.

You can gain a better understanding of how this conclusion was reached by examining the underlying numbers in which the pair ranked closely, including but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots, key passes, tackles won, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

These are encouraging metrics to share, as they not only point to the former PSV Eindhoven gem being someone who can match the Brazilian’s creative output but also his defensive work.

With that said, while being compared to one of the best wingers in the world is brilliant, there are other reasons why Maresca and Co should be signing the 22-year-old this summer, such as his raw output.

For example, in just 33 appearances last season, totalling 2763 minutes, the Amsterdam-born “game-changer,” as talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, scored 11 goals and provided eight assists.

In other words, the sensational talent, who one analyst has dubbed “one of the best 10s in the world,” managed to average a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 144 minutes.

Ultimately, while he’ll cost a pretty penny, Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign Simons this summer, as not only could he be their answer to Rodrygo, but he could be even better.