Dream for Ekitike: Chelsea showing interest in "pocket rocket"
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is desperate to bolster his attacking options this summer, and Hugo Ekitike is a major target.
The Blues face competition from Manchester United, however, as the Red Devils have entered the race for the young Frenchman.
This could put Maresca on high alert, and he will do everything he can to try to lure the Eintracht Frankfurt striker to Stamford Bridge.
He isn’t the only transfer target to emerge from the Bundesliga, as news has emerged about their potential interest in a current RB Leipzig starlet.
Chelsea could target Bundesliga sensation
If a move for Ekitike does go through, Maresca will be keen on linking up with players who will be able to provide him with plenty of chances in the final third.
Of course, Cole Palmer will be ideal for him, but how about having a talent like Xavi Simons available?
Writer Bobby Vincent stated during a Q and A for football.london could perhaps be a target.
“As for Xavi Simons, I’ve heard his name mentioned a couple of times this summer as a potential option but nothing absolutely concrete yet,” said Vincent.
“He is someone who has cropped up in the past as well, so there is definite interest there.”
The Dutchman is still only 22 years of age and would make an ideal long-term option for Maresca, especially as he could work wonders with Ekitike.
Why Chelsea must sign Xavi Simons
Last season in the Premier League, Palmer created 24 big chances. Next on the list were Enzo Fernández with 13 and Pedro Neto with 11. These were the only players with over ten big chances created.
By signing Simons, Maresca would be getting a player who will be able to generate plenty of opportunities for Ekitike, who scored 22 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt this season.
Indeed, across 25 domestic matches last season, the youngster created 12 big chances, while also averaging two key passes per game and recording seven assists for Leipzig, which speaks to the kind of quality that he could provide the French striker with in front of goal.
|
Xavi Simons’ statistics last season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Metric |
Bundesliga |
Champions League |
|
Goals |
10 |
0 |
|
Assists |
7 |
0 |
|
Big chances created |
12 |
4 |
|
Key passes per game |
2 |
1.4 |
|
Successful dribbles per game |
1.3 |
1.4 |
|
Via Sofascore |
||
It is no wonder he has been hailed as a “fantastic talent” in the past by talent scout Jacek Kulig. Now, Simons is finally delivering on his massive potential.
While Leipzig may have underwhelmed in the Champions League last season, Simons, who has been hailed as a “pocket rocket” by analyst Raj Chohan, shone from an individual perspective.
Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in the tournament, the 22-year-old ranked in the top 2% for shot-creating actions (5.91) and total shots per 90 (2.69) while also ranking in the top 9% for successful take-ons (1.88) and in the top 12% for touches in the opposition penalty area (3.49) per 90.
This set of statistics proves that Simons is among one of the finest attacking midfielders on the continent when it comes to creating chances, which is why he would be a dream signing alongside Ekitike as they could link up in the final third with the Dutchman creating chances for the striker to tuck away.
It could be a dream duo for the club next season, and if the club go far in the Club World Cup, there will be money to spend.
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