Chelsea makе first mоvе to sign prodigy star whо’s ‘Fеlix 2.0’

Chelsea has been one of the more potent attacking teams in the Premier League this season, scoring 38 goals in their first 19 matches and currently holding fourth place with 35 points. Nevertheless, recent struggles have emerged, particularly against teams that adopt a defensive low-block strategy. These difficulties have led to disappointing results, including a 0-0 draw with Everton, a 2-1 defeat to Fulham, and a 2-0 loss to Ipswich.

Tactical Issues and Squad Depth

Manager Enzo Maresca has been using fewer substitutes in these matches, raising concerns about his confidence in Chelsea’s bench strength. This lack of rotation may prompt the club to target a game-changing substitute in the upcoming January transfer window.

Chelsea Pursues Barcelona’s Dani Olmo

Spanish reports indicate that Chelsea is among the clubs interested in acquiring Dani Olmo, Barcelona’s attacking midfielder. The 26-year-old, who is also being pursued by Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal, could prove to be a crucial addition. According to Fabrizio Romano, both Chelsea and Tottenham have shown interest in Olmo, while La Liga recently rejected Barcelona’s attempt to include him in their squad, which could make a transfer more feasible and increase competition for his signature.

Olmo’s Season Overview

So far this season, Olmo has participated in 15 matches across all competitions, scoring six goals, providing one assist, and logging 813 minutes of playtime.

João Félix vs. Dani Olmo: A Comparison

Chelsea also signed João Félix this summer for a comparable role, bringing him in from Atlético Madrid for around £45 million. Like Olmo, Félix had a spell at Barcelona, where he scored ten goals and recorded six assists in 44 appearances.

Both players are inventive attackers who thrive behind the striker, often finding space to receive the ball. They have also played as wide players, cutting inside when full-backs advance, acting as secondary playmakers.

This season, Félix has outperformed Olmo in some metrics, which may be due to his involvement in the UEFA Conference League, often seen as featuring weaker competition. However, Olmo has proven his worth, scoring more goals than Félix and matching his assists per 90 minutes (0.19). Both players excel in key creative areas, averaging more than six progressive passes per 90 minutes, over 1.5 key passes per 90, and more than two successful take-ons per 90 minutes.

A Possible Solution to Chelsea’s Issues

Olmo could provide Maresca with an additional creative option off the bench, as highlighted by journalist Josh Bunting for his performances in EURO 2024. A player like Olmo could give Chelsea the spark needed to break down well-organized low-block defenses, an area where the team has faced consistent challenges.