Chelsea are one of many clubs chasing FC Köln winger Said El Mala, and Vincent Kompany's comments on the teenager will excite supporters.
The Blues are ending the 2025/26 campaign with more questions than answers after kissing goodbye to their hopes of Champions League qualification, and ultimately, Liam Rosenior's four months at Stamford Bridge.
Nonetheless, Chelsea have a shortlist of successors to Rosenior, and one of those will replace temporary boss Calum McFarlane at the end of the season.
Chelsea still have hopes of winning the FA Cup final to end what has been a poor campaign on a high, and then plans will begin to transform their squad, starting with a new winger.
Vincent Kompany loves Chelsea target Said El Mala
Output in wide areas has been severely lacking this term, with Alejandro Garnacho disappointing fans since completing his £40 million move from Manchester United, while injury and inconsistency have plagued Jamie Gittens.
Add to that Mykhailo Mudryk's four-year ban for breaching anti-doping rules and the Blues have several issues to resolve down the left flank.
Luckily, work has already begun to identify targets in that position, and according to Bayern Munich insider Christian Falk, Chelsea are one of several clubs interested in Köln superstar El Mala.
Falk states that the German side are demanding around £43m for the 19-year-old, but it remains to be seen whether the Blues are willing to cough up that amount.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich have also previously scouted El Mala, who has 16 goal involvements in the Bundesliga this term, with Bayern boss Vincent Kompany waxing lyrical over his talents in October 2025.
"This kid has this initial acceleration and then a second burst of speed. That surprises many defenders. He can shoot from that high speed. That feeling of being inactive and then suddenly launching a full-scale counter-attack is, of course, a quality you can use throughout your entire career."
Arguably one of Europe's biggest rising stars, El Mala's qualities - most notably his frightening pace and acceleration - could see him become an instant hit in the Premier League.
Alejandro Garnacho would worry about El Mala's arrival
A left winger being on the agenda would surely worry Garnacho the most, as he's the one at risk of losing his place in the starting lineup.
The 21-year-old can have no complaints based on what he's produced this season, too, as he's returned just one goal and four assists in 23 Premier League appearances.
Chelsea supporters have also grown frustrated with Garnacho's appalling attitude, so it will be interesting to see whether he's sold under a new manager.
Either way, El Mala is already consistently producing in one of Europe's top five leagues and is naturally an upgrade on the Argentine international.
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