The transfer merry-go-round is well under way and for Chelsea, one prospective incoming hints at a possible departure from Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are pursuing a move for Xavi Simons and if they were to sign the 22-year-old RB Leipzig attacker, then an exit for Christopher Nkunku becomes increasingly more likely. It has not quite worked out for Nkunku, who has multiple suitors in the Premier League this summer, at Chelsea.
It has by no means been a disaster either. The 27-year-old Frenchman, if the FIFA Club World Cup final victory over Paris Saint-Germain is to be his last appearance for the Blues, will leave Stamford Bridge with 18 goals in 62 matches in all competitions. Not the output Chelsea were expecting, but given he has less than 3,000 minutes of time on the pitch as a Blues player, it is not a terrible record.
Nkunku, who has spent two seasons with Chelsea after being signed for £52million in the summer of 2023, showed signs of his prowess in front of goal during his time in SW6 and that is why there are still so many clubs that are interested in taking a chance on the wantaway Frenchman. What has not helped him at Chelsea, particularly since Enzo Maresca was appointed head coach just over 12 months ago, is his work rate.
The former Leipzig forward has been strongly criticised at times while on the pitch for Chelsea for looking lazy and nonchalant. There were times where a game would simply pass Nkunku by and then by 60-odd minutes, he would be taken off.
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If Chelsea were to sign Simons, his work rate is unlikely to be an issue. The Netherlands international is known for his exceptional work out of possession. An aggressive presser in the final third, by all accounts Simons fits the Maresca ideology – something the Blues will have looked at thoroughly before deciding to make a move.
Simons recorded 2,326 ‘intensive runs’ without the ball, which meant he finished ninth in the Bundesliga in that category throughout the 2023/24 season. He also recorded more challenges attempted that season than any other Leipzig player with 664 in total across the 32 starts he made in the German top-flight.
Marco Rose, formerly the manager at Leipzig, once described Simons as a “prototype” of how he wants his team to play. In many ways, Rose’s style and ideology is similar to Maresca’s – particularly when out of possession, with the former Leipzig boss wanting his players to be aggressive whenever they lose the ball to the opposition.
Speaking about Simons, Rose said: “He’s almost a prototype for what we want for our game. Our scouting department recognised this excellently and presented him exactly as such. He enjoys chasing the ball and tackling, radiates enormous energy with and against the ball, and is also a gifted footballer.”
A young and hungry attacker, one who will add another dimension to Chelsea’s attack. Crucially, though, he will help Maresca create his perfect side when defending as well.
