Chelsea eye move for Monaco star who delivered pizzas to make ends meet as a 15-year-

Transfer News: Chelsea to battle Liverpool for AS Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana

Chelsea and Liverpool are eying a move for 24-year-old AS Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana. The Reds’ need for a central midfielder is obvious.

They are set for a midfield revamp in the summer with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho Tavares being largely subpar. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s futures at Anfield are shaky.

And hence, they have been linked with a move for Chelsea target Fofana, as per the Daily Mail. Liverpool’s need for a new midfielder makes things tough for other teams if they are eying the same targets.

They will know they can get guaranteed playing time under Jurgen Klopp due to their ageing, injury-prone and bland midfield. But Chelsea would be wise to battle the Reds for Fofana, who is coming through Monaco’s ranks as one of the most exciting midfielders recently. His contract expires in June 2024 (Transfermarkt) – a big boost for his suitors.

A smart move

He has featured in 42 games across competitions this season for Philippe Clement’s side, showing how important he is for them. Fofana has also worked very, very hard for where he is today.

He apparently delivered pizzas as a 15-year-old in Clairefontaine to make ends meet after being dropped by France’s national academy. The character-building such an episode does in a player’s life stays with them throughout.

We currently have Enzo Fernandez, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield. Perhaps only Fernandez is a world-class name here that could be with us next season.

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Kante, who is at the dusk of his playing days due to ageing and injury, could leave as a free agent this summer. Kovacic, meanwhile, has been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge as well. In such a situation, Fofana would be a very, very welcome addition.