Chelsea sent scouts to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to watch Sampdoria striker Patrik Schick in action on Saturday, as per reports.
Italian publication Calciomercato have reported that Chelsea had scouts in attendance when Sampdoria took on Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where they were keeping an eye on the Blucerchiati striker Patrik Schick.
Patrik Schick is one of the most exciting young players to emerge out of Czech Republic in recent years, and he has shown signs of promise having made the move to Italy this season. Courted by AS Roma last summer, Schick chose to move to Sampdoria from Sparta Prague instead.
The maiden campaign in Italy hasn’t quite been as the 21-year-old would have envisioned before his move though, as he has only made five starts in Serie A so far, coming off the bench on 17 other occasions.
However, despite being used sparingly by Marco Giampaolo this season, he has managed to impress on several occasions, scoring 7 goals so far in the Italian top flight. His manager, though, has been full of praise for the youngster, who has made a mark with his pacy outlet.
And even though Schick hasn’t quite managed to make himself a regular fixture in the first team picture at Sampdoria, he has made an impression on clubs across Europe, who have been monitoring him regularly in recent months.
Chelsea are one of the prominent names among these clubs, and the Blues had Schick scouted on the weekend as Sampdoria ran out 1-0 winners in the Genoa Derby. The 21-year-old came off the bench in the match but Chelsea’s representatives would have been left impressed by his showing.
That was because Schick played a key role in the only goal of the match before Luis Muriel found the back of the net. One factor working against Chelsea is that Schick has maintained that he will not join a side where he is unlikely to get regular first team opportunities.
That was the basis of his rejection of Roma’s overtures last summer. And with Diego Costa firing on all cylinders, Schick might not be able to start week in week out, as has been the case for summer signing Michy Batshuayi, who is already being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
However, Batshuayi’s possible departure could result in Antonio Conte entering the market for a striker in the summer, and Schick with his undoubted talent makes for a long-term option for the Chelsea boss to consider. It now remains to be seen if the move materialises come June or if Schick chooses to remain in Genoa.
