Chelsea are eyeing a summer move for PSG midfield star Leandro Paredes.
According to Evening Standard, Premier League giants Chelsea are eyeing a summer swoop for PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes.
The Argentine ace spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Juventus and was among the Turin giants’ best performers in an otherwise poor campaign. He has since returned to the Parc des Princes.
The Blues have been after Brighton & Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo for months now but with little progress. With the 2023/24 season drawing closer, time is running out for Mauricio Pochettino to reinforce his midfield, prompting him and Chelsea to look beyond the Seagulls star.
Leandro Paredes is a player that Pochettino is familiar with having managed him during his stint at Paris Saint-Germain. He will be well aware of the 29-year-old’s strengths and how best to use him at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentine international was part of the side that won the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year and is entering the final year of his deal in Paris. Given that he could leave on a free next summer, Chelsea could land him for a rather reasonable price this month.
A defensive midfielder, Paredes is a physical presence in the middle of the park and is also capable of carrying the ball forward should the opportunity arise. A strong tackler, Paredes is capable of winning the ball back regularly and also has the knack to have a pop or two at goal from distance.
The veteran star is also capable of taking a mean freekick, adding to our offensive threat from set-pieces. This will give them a viable alternative to Reece James, given the latter’s injury troubles. Paredes has much experience of playing at the top level and would be an invaluable addition to the Blues roster.
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While his potential arrival will give Pochettino options, the Blues will need more players to account for those who were sold this summer. As things stand, Chelsea lack both quality and depth in several positions. Time is running out for them to ensure the right players make the switch to west London before the window slams shut.
