Bad news for Cucurella: Chelsea targeting “flawless” £25m talent
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Chelsea’s Ambitious Rebuild: Targeting Champions League Glory
Chelsea is diligently working to build on the foundations laid by Mauricio Pochettino, with the ultimate goal of returning to the Champions League and rekindling their trophy-winning spirit.
Aiming for the Stars
Todd Boehly and his team have shown no lack of ambition. However, their erratic transfer strategies in recent years have resulted in a disjointed squad that hasn’t delivered the desired success. Now, under the guidance of new head coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea is refining their approach. While they’ve made several exciting signings this summer, their current focus is on securing a dynamic full-back.
Chelsea’s Pursuit of a New Full-Back
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According to Italian outlet Calcio Lecce, Chelsea is interested in signing Patrick Dorgu this summer and has inquired about a potential deal. The challenge is that Dorgu has many admirers and is listed for a hefty €30m (£25m). At just 19, Dorgu has had an impressive start in Serie A and could be a valuable addition to Chelsea, who are awaiting an official offer for the left-back from Lecce.
What Patrick Dorgu Brings to Chelsea
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Described as “flawless” by a keen scout, Dorgu has made a significant impact in Italy. Having made his senior debut last season, he appeared in 34 Serie A matches, starting 17 and scoring two goals, mainly as a left-back. According to Sofascore, he completed 84% of his passes and averaged four successful duels per game with a 57% success rate.
He also ranked in the top 10% of full-backs in Italy for goals, top 11% for tackles, and top 12% for aerial duels per 90 minutes, as per FBref. With his solid defending, impressive 6’2″ frame, and speed, the Danish defender offers a different dynamic to Marc Cucurella, who, despite a strong showing at Euro 2024 with Spain, has struggled since his £60m move from Brighton in 2022.
The Cucurella Conundrum
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Cucurella’s high £175k-per-week salary with Chelsea hasn’t been justified by his performances, drawing criticism from pundits like Jamie Carragher for his defensive shortcomings. He started only 20 Premier League matches, winning 60% of his duels but averaging just 0.2 dribbles per game, highlighting his lack of mobility—a gap that Dorgu’s explosive pace could fill.
Moving Forward with Dorgu
Chelsea must push to finalize a deal for Dorgu, who has the attributes of a top-tier full-back. While Cucurella might be temporarily in favor after his international performance, his inconsistent form in the Premier League raises questions about his long-term reliability at Chelsea.
Dorgu’s athleticism and technical skills could eventually see him surpass Cucurella. Maresca and his transfer team need to ensure that when Dorgu makes his mark, he’s wearing Chelsea blue.
