Over the last few weeks, we have seen Chelsea being linked with a long list of players. It is not hard to understand why either, considering how disappointing their start to the new season has been. After winning the Club World Cup over the summer, the Blues were expected to take the next step and start competing for the Premier League. Instead, they seem to have taken several steps back and no longer look like a team capable of even qualifying for the Champions League.
This is the fourth year of the new Chelsea project since the change of ownership. And despite spending over a billion pounds and signing a large portion of football's most highly-rated young talents, they have never really established themselves as a serious contender.
If things don't change in this regard, sooner or later, the club needs to reconsider their project. For now, they continue to be linked with youngsters.
One of the best young talents in the world right now is Nico Paz. Always considered a brilliant talent, he never really got a chance to show it at Real Madrid. Since joining Como FC, he has developed into one of Serie A's fastest rising stars. In 10 league appearances this season, he has scored 4 goals and provided 4 assists. Unsurprisingly, many top clubs want him.
Nico Paz makes transfer decision between Real Madrid and Chelsea
Chelsea are believed to have enquired about Paz already. Tottenham Hotspur are said to. be showing interest as well. But Real Madrid, who have a buyback clause, appear to be in the driver's seat.
In fact, the player seems to have his heart set on a return to Real Madrid. As reported by TBR Football, Graeme Bailey said:
"Nico Paz is standing firm. Real have told him he is coming back, and he believes he is going to be a key player for them in the near future.
“But I can confirm that Paz is really attracting interest now. Spurs have never gone away, but now Chelsea have asked about him. They have really liked what they have seen, but the message back was that he has his heart set on Real.
“We know that Liverpool and Manchester City have also looked, so safe to say if Paz does not head back to the Spanish capital, there is a very good chance he would be EPL-bound."
Is there enough room for Paz to thrive at Real Madrid though? It is very easy to get lost in the shuffle at Santiago Bernabeu. But then, when you are a talent of this level, you often have confidence in your own ability to shine, even at the biggest of clubs.