While they’ve made more than their fair share of transfer mistakes in recent years, Chelsea have built themselves one of the best squads in the Premier League.
However, when it comes to picking out the best and most important player in Enzo Maresca’s side, there can only be one answer: Cole Palmer.
The Englishman joined the club in the summer of 2023 and, despite battling with injuries of late, has amassed a staggering tally of 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 games.
So, Chelsea fans should be very excited about reports linking them with another international superstar who could be a Palmer-esque signing.
Chelsea chase Palmer-type signing
Palmer has only played four games for Chelsea this season, in which he’s scored two goals, and while the club have fared okay without him, it’s clear that they miss his game-changing ability.
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For example, the often unplayable Englishman would surely have been able to find a winner in the game against Qarabağ, or grab another goal to ensure Sunderland never got their winner a couple of weeks ago.
It seems that the board might share the opinion that the side are lacking a bit of inventive cutting edge at the moment and, as a result, have turned their attention to one of the most exciting attackers in Europe.
At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Chelsea are interested in Julian Alvarez.
In fact, the report goes further than that and reveals that the Blues have joined the bidding war for his services, competing against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona to bring him to London.
However, it won’t be a cheap deal to get over the line, with the story claiming that the Blues will make a club record €150m offer to sign the Argentine, which is around £133m.
Even so, this is a transfer worth pursuing, as Alvarez is one of the most exciting attackers in Europe and could be a Palmer-type signing.
Why Alvarez would be a Palmer-type signing
Now, there is certainly the Manchester City connection, but the primary reason Alvarez could be Chelsea’s next Palmer-type signing is the simple fact that he’s talented enough to have a similar monumental impact.
For example, from an output perspective alone, the Argentine international is operating at a level so far above most strikers in European football – other than Erling Haaland, of course.
The Atlético Madrid “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Pablo Gonzalez, ended last year with an astounding tally of 29 goals and eight assists in 57 appearances, totalling 3967 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.54 games, or every 107.21 minutes.
Then, as if to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, the former City gem has already amassed a tally of 13 goal involvements in 15 appearances, totalling 1216 minutes.
That comes out to a sensational average of one every 1.15 games or every 93.53 minutes, which lends plenty of credence to Pep Guardiola’s previous statement that he’s an “undroppable” force of nature.
In addition to his incredible output, the 25-year-old superstar has also got some unreal underlying numbers to his name.
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for passes into the penalty area, through balls, goal-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive carries, crosses and more, all per 90.
Shots from Free Kicks
0.34
Top 1%
Passes into Penalty Area
1.74
Top 1%
Through Balls
0.73
Top 1%
Goal-Creating Actions
0.73
Top 1%
Progressive Carries
3.04
Top 2%
Passes Completed (Medium)
8.60
Top 2%
xA: Expected Assists
0.25
Top 2%
Key Passes
2.03
Top 2%
Crosses
3.53
Top 2%
Shot-Creating Actions
4.21
Top 2%
SCA (Live-ball Pass)
2.88
Top 2%
GCA (Dead-ball Pass)
0.05
Top 2%
Total Carrying Distance
170.64
Top 2%
Progressive Carrying Distance
82.18
Top 2%
Passes Completed
27.03
Top 3%
Passes Attempted
35.73
Top 3%
Total Passing Distance
420.19
Top 3%
Passes Completed (Short)
14.68
Top 3%
Live-ball Passes
30.90
Top 3%
Dead-ball Passes
4.73
Top 3%
GCA (Live-ball Pass)
0.42
Top 3%
Touches
45.51
Top 3%
Touches (Att 3rd)
25.39
Top 3%
Touches (Live-Ball)
45.30
Top 3%
Carries
27.81
Top 3%
Carries into Final Third
1.95
Top 3%
In other words, the Atleti ace is as effective at creating opportunities for his teammates as he is taking them himself – sound familiar?
Ultimately, even though it will require a club record fee, Chelsea should be doing everything they can to sign Alvarez, as he would have as significant an impact on the team as Palmer.
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