Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare as Thomas Tuchel looks to shore up his options.
According to a report from Daily Mirror, Chelsea have become the latest club to be linked with a move for Ibrahim Sangare. The PSV Eindhoven starlet has become one of the most in-demand players in the market, with many expecting him to move to a bigger club at the end of the season.
Chelsea have joined a long list of clubs tracking the progress of Sangare. The 24-year-old is considered one of the best midfielders in the Eredivisie, which is why PSV Eindhoven are unlikely to settle for any less than £30 million for his services this summer.
Formerly of Toulouse, Sangare is a loved figure in the football analytics department due to his all-round abilities. A defensive midfielder by trade, he is proficient at winning the ball back for his team while being technically astute enough to distribute possession all around the park.
The Ivorian also offers the aggression and work ethic in the middle of the park, making him quite an asset in the second line of press. His qualities could be ideally suited to Tuchel’s tactical setup, with the German tactician particularly desperate to add more options to his defensive unit.
Chelsea are expected to retain the services of Conor Gallagher in the coming season, despite the best attempts of Crystal Palace. But the Blues are facing a battle to keep hold of Jorginho, who has been linked with a return to Serie A, with Juventus among the clubs interested in securing his services.
Ibrahim Sangare could be an excellent replacement for the Chelsea vice-captain. At just 24, the PSV starlet might not offer as much experience or composure, but he has the mobility, work-ethic and defensive nous to become a successful number six in Tuchel’s setup.
The Ivorian’s defensive qualities could combine well with Gallagher’s attacking brilliance, ultimately offering more freedom to someone like N’Golo Kante, who likes to operate in a fluid role for Chelsea in the middle of the park.
Luring Sangare from PSV Eindhoven, though, could be a tricky task for Chelsea. While his £30 million price tag should not be a problem, the player is courted by Crystal Palace, who have built an excellent reputation for nurturing young talents and have developed players such as Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Tyrick Mitchell lately.
Sangare could certainly find Crystal Palace far more appealing, although with Chelsea offering the prospect of playing in the UEFA Champions League, it will be interesting to see whether the midfielder ends up this summer.
