Chelsea keen on signing AS Roma attacking midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini
According to journalist Ekrem Konur (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are keen on signing AS Roma captain and attacking midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Pellegrini has been one of the stalwarts in the Roma team under former Blues boss Jose Mourinho. He was one of the key reasons behind the Italian side’s success in the UEFA Conference League last season, scoring four goals and assisting two in 10 appearances.
This season in the Serie A, the Italian international has two goals and six assists in 14 appearances in all competitions playing either as an attacking midfielder or in wide midfield areas.
Pellegrini’s name did float around the Chelsea transfer rumour list as one of the potential replacements of Mason Mount, should the latter not sign the contract extension at Stamford Bridge.
However, looking at the player the 26-year-old has become of late, the Blues can look to sign him irrespective of whether Mount is signing an extension or not.
If not in attacking midfield, he is well capable of operating as a central midfield as one of the attacking number eights too. We all are well aware of the fact that Chelsea need reinforcements in central midfield with the future of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho doubtful at the club, especially the former.
Although Pellegrini won’t be a direct replacement for either of those two players based on profile and style, he can add dynamism and a box-to-box element from midfield, which can be harnessed well by manager Graham Potter.
He still has a contract with Roma until the summer of 2026, so there will need to be some money flexing done to prise him away from Italy.
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Moreover, at 26, having captained the Roma side for some time now and played international football, Pellegrini brings experience with the prospect of his peak years coming up.