29-year-old Chelsea target set to sign new contract at Serie A giants

Paulo Dybala is set to sign a new contract with AS Roma to end Chelsea speculations

According to Football London, Chelsea summer target Paulo Dybala is all set to sign a new contract with AS Roma to end the speculations regarding his future.

Days after Mauricio Pochettino was officially appointed as the Blues boss, Metro revealed that he is eyeing a move for fellow countryman Dybala this summer.

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva admitted that he would welcome the addition of the Argentina international to the squad. But, it seems as if the former Juventus star will stay put at Roma.

Paulo Dybala is set to sign a new AS Roma contract to end Chelsea speculation.
Paulo Dybala is set to sign a new AS Roma contract to end Chelsea speculation. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Dybala is a versatile forward who chiefly operates as a number 10 or a support striker. He has played as a false nine and a right winger in the past as well.

Since joining Roma last summer, the 29-year-old had an excellent season under former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. He scored 18 goals and assisted eight in 38 appearances in all competitions. 33 out of the 38 appearances came as a support striker (Transfermarkt).

So, we can see why Pochettino wanted to sign him this summer despite the addition of Christopher Nkunku, a player similar in profile to Dybala.

Dybala was wanted by Mauricio Pochettino days after he took charge of the Chelsea job.
Dybala was wanted by Mauricio Pochettino days after he took charge of the Chelsea job. (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea have been short of goals in the past few seasons and they have not been able to sign an experienced number nine this summer. The one they have is set to leave in this window – Romelu Lukaku.

Hence, the idea behind getting Dybala could have been to play him up top with Nkunku as a number 10 and two fast wingers on either side. The other option could have been Nicolas Jackson leading the line and one of Dybala or Nkunku operating behind him.

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All of that is just imaginary now as the Argentine is staying in Italy.