Chelsea’s pursuit of yet more attacking players this summer suggests Enzo Maresca is looking to challenge for both the Premier League and Champions League next season.
Given their performances at the Club World Cup, where they defeated PSG to win the title, the Blues could be a force to be reckoned with throughout 2025/26.
Alexander Isak has been linked with a move amid the news that he is exploring options away from Newcastle United, with the Blues said to have the budget to lodge such an ambitious swoop.
While a transfer seems unlikely, it would signal another huge statement of intent by the Blues if they managed to land him.
As to a deal to secure the signature of Dutch sensation, Xavi Simons, this move does appear to be close.
Chelsea are closing in on next move
According to Caught Offside, Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with Simons as they seek to sign him from RB Leipzig.
In terms of the fee, the German side are demanding €80m (£70m) to sanction a sale and, given Chelsea’s spending this summer, that shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.
Simons would add something extra to an already stacked Chelsea frontline next term, but imagine how better they would be should Isak secure an unlikely move to London.
Why Chelsea want to sign Xavi Simons
The Dutchman offers plenty of positional flexibility, which is an added bonus for Maresca. Indeed, last term, he played 16 games on the left wing and 15 as an attacking midfielder.
Across those two positions, Simons registered nine and ten goal contributions, respectively, proving that he can shine no matter where he is deployed.
Isak, of course, would operate through the middle as the lone centre-forward, but the Dutch youngster would thrive playing behind the Swede, no doubt about that.
When compared to his positional peers in the Champions League last season, Simons was sublime across several metrics.
Not only did he rank in the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.88), but the 22-year-old also ranked in the top 2% for shot-creating actions (5.91) and in the top 11% for progressive carries (3.22) in Europe’s premier club competition.
Goals
10
Assists
7
Key passes per game
2
Shots per game
2
Total duels won per game
5.4
Big chances missed
2
Producing the goods in the biggest tournament on the continent proves that Simons is a man who would generate plenty of opportunities for Isak should the unthinkable occur.
Indeed, in the Bundesliga, Simons created an impressive 12 big chances for Leipzig, while also averaging two key passes per game.
It is perhaps no wonder that the Dutch starlet has been hailed as a “game-changer” by talent scout Jacek Kulig recently, following a performance for the Netherlands against Spain.
Making a move for Isak would be the cherry on the cake for Maresca this summer. While Liverpool lead the race for the striker, nothing can be counted out at this stage.
Should he have the talents of a player such as Simons operating behind him, Isak would reach new heights at Stamford Bridge; that much is certain.
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