Tiemoue Bakayoko can create a range of options for Chelsea’s midfield
Chelsea have the Premier League’s player of the season and arguably the most impactful substitute in their midfield. Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko could be the one piece they need to solidify the midfield for the next few seasons.
AS Monaco are bracing for a series of transfer raids that threaten to dismantle their Ligue 1-winning side. While Kylian Mbappe may be the marquee transfer of the summer, Tiemoue Bakayoko should be Chelsea’s top target among Monaco’s stars.
N’Golo Kante will continue to be the indispensable man in Chelsea’s midfield. If Antonio Conte maintains a 3-4-3, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas will continue to swap out for the other spot. Chelsea may try to sell Matic, and almost certainly will do so if another club makes an approach. However, Matic has not been involved in any realistic transfer rumours.
Lewis Baker’s return and Nathaniel Chalobah’s emergence will complicate the Fabregas / Matic situation. Chelsea once heralded Baker as a better prospect than Dele Alli. After another standout season for Baker on-loan at Vitesse, this is the time for Chelsea to deliver on that billing. Baker’s long-range shooting – particularly on free kicks – will add a new dimension to Chelsea’s midfield.
Related Story: Michy Batshuayi, Cesc Fabregas prove Antonio Conte's substitution strategy
Baker and Chalobah both have better technique than Nemanja Matic, and will quickly develop a better positional sense. None of them have Cesc Fabregas’s passing ability, though. However, Fabregas does not have the in-game or game-to-game endurance to start regularly and play well into the second half. He will start more frequently than he did this past season, but probably will not exceed 25 starts across all competitions.
Shifting to a 3-5-2 would give Conte significantly more flexibility to use these players in different combinations. That creates new tactical possibilities, which Chelsea will need for the Champions League. It also opens the door for Tiemoue Bakayoko to fill a “full-time” role alongside N’Golo Kante, while keeping the other midfielders in reserve for the appropriate situation.
"Bakayoko is an artful combination of Patrick Viera and Xabi Alonso. He has unbelievable athleticism, making it across the midfield in 2-3 strides as well as being a good tackler. His game needs to mature a little bit… He takes 3-4 touches where 1-2 will do, and that simply will not work in the Premier League. – Barrett Rouen, The Blue Lions"
In addition to his technique, abilities and experience, Bakayoko also has the ambition necessary to thrive under Antonio Conte. He shot down the prospect of a transfer to Paris-Saint Germain, saying he would never “leave for a club that has finished behind me.” If he says that about Ligue 1’s second-place team, imagine what he will say about Tottenham.
Chelsea have few empty spots in their squad. They mostly need depth to mitigate the effect of injuries and to offer Antonio Conte maximum flexibility in lineups and tactics. Lewis Baker will provide much of what Chelsea needs and will expand their range of options.
Next: Chelsea ease their way into off-season business, sign Eduardo extension
Tiemoue Bakayoko could complete the midfield picture for years to come. He would create an immense partnership with N’Golo Kante and anchor an array of options to control play in both directions.