Chelsea: Benrahma would give the attack an immediate boost
Chelsea has missed a double-digit scorer on the wings this season with Eden Hazard’s departure, but help may be on the way.
Chelsea has reportedly begun contacting Brentford winger Said Benrahma regarding a summer move east along the Thames. The Blues are amongst many teams interested in one of the Championship’s most lethal attacking threats. Benrahma’s been a huge part of Brentford’s success this season which has the Bees eyeing promotion.
Ever since Hazard left the club a few months ago, Chelsea has struggled to find production on the wings. Benrahma is a great young player who would improve the Blues’ attack drastically.
The 24-year-old is currently in his second season in England. He’s nearing the prime of his career and now would be the perfect time for the Algerian to move to a bigger club. Benrahma has adjusted well to life at Brentford, netting 21 goals and adding 25 assists across 79 matches. He’s a double-digit scorer year in and year out, which is exactly what the Blues are missing.
Willian and Pedro are on expiring contracts—with neither expected to re-sign. Chelsea added Hakim Ziyech to the winger depth chart next season, but that leaves just Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic. Mason Mount is capable of playing out wide, but he plays his best in central midfield. Bringing Benrahma in would help strengthen the depth on the wings. Like Ziyech, Benrahma is versatile and can play on either wing or in attacking midfield.
Benrahma brings his tremendous chance creating ability to the table and would undoubtedly compete for a starting spot week in and week out with the Blues. He’s risen through the ranks of European football within the last few years and is relatively unproven, but he looks ready to make a jump to the Premier League. Many are dubbing him ‘the next Riyad Mahrez’. If that is the case, the Blues can’t afford to sit idly by and miss out on Mahrez 2.0 as they did with the original.
Further, the Algerian offers a cheaper alternative to Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho. With the German club likely asking an insane price for the youngster, the Blues are going to look for a cheaper alternative in order to add to the squad elsewhere. Brentford values the winger at £40 million, but should the Bees fail to secure promotion, the Blues could strike a deal.
A move for Benrahma is a bit risky. He’s not as experienced as Sancho, Ousmane Dembele or other players linked to Chelsea. However, this is a move that could pay off in the long run and help improve the squad over the summer by saving money.
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