Chelsea one of four clubs interested in Fiorentina star Federico Chiesa — report

Despite Hakim Ziyech joining whenever next season starts, the possible departures of Willian and Pedro mean that Chelsea will need at least one more winger to compete with the current crop. While Jadon Sancho is obviously the dream signing, alternatives will be looked at — not least because of Sancho’s exorbitant price tag which will make it very difficult to pull off any deal for him (for any team) in the current economic climate.

One of those alternatives could be Fiorentina’s young star, Federico Chiesa (ed.note: son of former well-traveled striker and Italy international Enrico Chiesa, if you’re old enough for that last name to sound familiar). According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Chelsea are one of four clubs, alongside Manchester United, Inter Milan and Juventus, to have expressed an interest in the 22-year-old.

Despite Chiesa’s overall versatility, which allows him to play anywhere across the front line, his sub-par attacking output does not paint a great picture. In 123 league appearances, he has just 21 goals and 18 assists, averaging a direct goal contribution every 243 minutes. In comparison, the oft-maligned Willian has scored a goal or provided an assist every 204 minutes in the Premier League since arriving at Chelsea.

Chiesa himself wants to continue playing in Italy for the time being, as he doesn’t want to risk his Euro 2020 2021 aspirations. So unless a non-Italian club makes him an offer he can’t refuse, it’s likely that he will stay in the Serie A.

His reported asking price was €70m before the COVID-19 pandemic took over the world, and even if that figure gets reduced slightly, it’s hard to see any club spend a considerable amount on a youngster who hasn’t exactly set the stage on fire (despite the title of the video below insinuating just that!).