The Pride of London offer a verdict on Chelsea’s reported interest in inconsistent but dangerous Premier League winger Leon Bailey of Aston Villa.
Obviously there are numerous positions at CFC which require upgrading and improving on. If those areas are not fortified in January or during the summer window, fans can naturally forget about the Blues challenging for the EPL title or the Champions League trophy in the near future.
Although, if Todd Boehly commissions four or five appropriate signings requisite for attaining such silverware, Graham Potter’s roster could be a very different and potentially potent outfit in 2023/24. Clearly a strong defensive midfielder is needed if N’Golo Kante departs, alongside a creative though structured man in the middle, in the style of a Jude Bellingham. In addition to that, at the very least Chels’ desire a consistently productive right-winger. Though they are hard to find.
Enter a rumour concerning Chelsea’s apparent targeting of Villa’s Leon Bailey. This one will be slightly underwhelming for Blues fans: while the attacker is versatile and possesses quality, he hasn’t lived up to expectations at Villa Park.
As a Blues backup man, yeah, the Jamaican could make it, I suppose. He won’t be signed to be the next Eden Hazard. Acquiring an ‘understudy’ might perhaps be the exact strategy the west Londoners are attempting, because Bailey will probably only join if Christian Pulisic departs.
Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling help England to victory
Sterling got himself on the scoresheet in England’s World Cup opener, and showed a much better account of himself than in a Blues shirt of late. Meanwhile the winger’s – yes, the ex-Liverpool star has often and inexplicably been used as a wingback by Graham Potter, but we all know the former is a more advanced wingman – teammate also gave his all for the cause.
Mount’s recent struggles in front of goal are well-known and he promptly missed a good chance for the Three Lions in the first half against Iran. The midfielder is in the team for undoubted quality, though the fitness of an in form James Maddison of Leicester City could jeopardise the CFC man’s spot.
The other goalscorers in the 6-2 win were Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who netted a brace, Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish of Manchester City.