It is very interesting to see how Chelsea approach this summer transfer window. All the talk has been that the club will at least bring in two players ready to go straight into the starting XI. But would that be the end of their business? Or will the club like to do more by signing youngsters, as they always have under BlueCo?
Chelsea might need more options on the wings with both Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto being linked with moves away. But if they do, it does leave a gap on both flanks.
It is no secret that Chelsea are looking to strengthen on the left. But they could need to do something on the opposite flank as well. Estevao looks great when fit and available but he has dealt with plenty of injuries. If Geovany Quenda is being considered an option there, we do not know how he will look in the Premier League.
This is not stopping the club from being linked with other wingers. According to a report, Chelsea are closing in on personal terms with Zadok Yohanna over a long-term contract valid until 2034. The player is very keen on the move and would pick the Blues over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea reportedly closing in on personal terms with Nigerian winger
It remains to be seen if the report is accurate or not. But it goes on to state that Chelsea are ready to offer a package worth around €25 million to sign Yohanna from AIK.
Conversations with AIK are expected to take place soon. It is unclear at this point whether Yohanna would join Chelsea directly or be part of the Strasbourg pathway, if the move does go through.
To be honest, it does feel like the second route would make more sense for Yohanna at this point in time. He needs to play more football.
Keeping him on loan at AIK for the rest of the season in Sweden might not be a bad idea either. Of course, all of these are hypothetical scenarios. For anything to happen, a move will need to go through first.
Who is Zadok Yohanna, the Nigerian winger wanted by several top Premier League clubs?
Let’s just make it clear that Chelsea are not the only club interested in Yohanna. In fact, last night, we reported on how Brighton and Newcastle United have already submitted bids for the winger.
So, Chelsea will need to be quick if they want to get any deal done for the youngster. Also, let’s not forget that there are other areas in need of more urgent stregthening.
Coming back to Yohanna, he has five goals and four assists in 12 games for AIK this season. As a result, he has managed to catch the eye of clubs around Europe. We are looking at a very small sample size here though.
Yohanna has played just 18 games in total at the senior level. And while he has done well in those, there is no way to guarantee the trajectory in which he is headed.
To me, personally, the eye test would be more important when it comes to a player like Yohanna. And to be fair, I think he has a lot of impressive traits.
For someone who is still just 18 and has only played a handful of games, he looks quite assured with the ball at his feet. He can get past his defender for sure but there is a calmness in the way he does it. At this point, a lot of wingers can rush things and hope to rely on their speed. But there does seem to be a bit more nuance to Yohanna’s game than that. That might be a good sign for what is to come in the future.
