Chelsea want to sign Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki, who was previously a transfer target for Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane
As per journalist Simon Phillips of Talk Chelsea (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are interested in signing young Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki, who previously attracted the interest of Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane.
Cherki, who is currently part of the French side competing in the U21 European Championship, has been scouted by a number of clubs in the past, including, as mentioned above, 14-time European champions Real Madrid.
The 19-year-old has got a goal and an assist in three U21 Euros appearances so far and impressing a lot of people. He is a Lyon youth product, making his senior debut during the 2019/20 season.
Cherki has decent numbers for Lyon with 14 goals and 16 assists in 102 appearances (just about 4500 minutes of football in total though) [Transfermarkt]. He is a versatile playmaker who prefers to operate as a number 10 but is comfortable when asked to play on either wing or as a support striker.
Chelsea have recently agreed on a deal with Manchester United to let go of Mason Mount. The England international was someone who could play in positions that were mentioned about Cherki.
But, the Blues have welcomed Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig a few days ago. The French international is a versatile forward who can play as a support striker and can be used in the playmaking position.
Does Mauricio Pochettino need another one of that type of player in the squad ahead of next season? If the interest in Cherki is serious, we would suspect that to be the case.
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The young Frenchman is a quality player who can get even better than what he already is in the Lyon setup. Pochettino has a history of developing promising young players into world-beaters. Regardless of whether Chelsea sign Cherki, they have enough young players in the squad for the new boss to work in the coming pre-season.