Transfer target Paulo Dybala shows Chelsea everything they are missing in a striker
By George Perry
Paulo Dybala gave Chelsea a potent reminder of how much they need a world-class striker. With his brace over Barcelona, he justified what will surely be an exorbitant transfer fee.
Paulo Dybala is doing everything he can to endear himself to Chelsea, showing all the things a world-class striker should do. Dybala scored two wonderful goals against Barcelona to give Juventus a 3-0 lead in the tie. Chelsea loanee Juan Cuadrado assisted on Dybala’s first goal.
Each goal revealed different attributes in Dybala’s game. As the ball flew across the field to Cuadrado wide on the right, Dybala was one of four (four!) Juventus players to move into the box.
Dybala kept himself in just enough space between Barcelona’s tightening lines to receive a short back-heel from Cuadrado. Barcelona’s defenders stood off Dybala, but he still had very little space in which to operate. He took a deft turn and curled the ball low into the far corner.
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Rather than take superfluous touches or try to pass the ball into the net, he aimed for the only place he could find an opening. In similar situations, Diego Costa or Pedro will dribble in a futile search for a clear shooting lane or look for a cut-back pass to the top of the box. Dybala followed his striker instincts to finesse the ball around Marc Ter Stegen.
Fifteen minutes later, Juventus were playing the ball up-field on the break. Mario Mandzukic set the ball up to Dybala at the top left of the box. The ball arrived slightly behind Dybala’s optimum shooting position. Despite having plenty of space and time to take additional touches, Dybala swept through the ball first-time to put it in the same corner of the net.
Dybala’s run was reminiscent of Frank Lampard’s late runs to the top of the box. Dybala delayed just slightly as he came through the middle third. This drew Barcelona’s defence more towards Mandzukic on the wing, leaving them out of position to deal with a quick shot.
Paulo Dybala will cost Chelsea a hefty transfer fee this summer. He is considering signing a new contract with Juventus, and has openly expressed his desire to play at Barcelona at some point in his career. His demonstration yesterday was a compact summary of what he can provide for the Blues.
His pure footballing touch gives him an edge over the more physical and direct play of Romelu Lukaku. Chelsea would need to pair Dybala with someone taller to create an aerial threat in the box. Chelsea will probably not be able to afford both Dybala and Lukaku. Tammy Abraham would be a viable option to provide height up front while maintaining the Academy-to-first-team progression.
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At 23 years old, Chelsea could build a long-term plan around Paulo Dybala. He is one of the few players in the world that would be worth bringing into Chelsea on financial grounds and player utilization grounds.