Chelsea warned Mauricio Pochettino could also be signing ‘one other Ben Arfa’ in Cherki
Chelsea have been warned over spending a reported £42million on Lyon starlet Rayan Cherki, with the Blues stated to be stepping up their curiosity within the younger ahead. Attention has been turned in direction of incomings at Stamford Bridge after the likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic headlined important outgoings – with Cherki tipped to hitch Mauricio Pochettino on the membership.
Football London have claimed that Chelsea have been in direct contact with Cherki’s representatives prior to now few days, although Lyon are decided to maintain maintain of one in every of their most prized property. The Ligue 1 facet have already turned down Paris Saint-Germain curiosity, although a bid of £42m is considered sufficient to check their resolve.
Chelsea’s constructive relationship with Lyon is assumed to assist them of their pursuit of Cherki, having signed the French facet’s right-back Malo Gusto in January however he remained on mortgage for the remainder of the season. However, ex-Blues defender Frank Leboeuf has warned the membership that Cherki possesses a number of the damaging traits that former Newcastle hero Hatem Ben Arfa had.
“Rayan Cherki is… you know Hatem Ben Arfa who played for Newcastle and for Nice, Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and Lyon, skilful-wise one of the best players already on earth, 20 years old unbelievable,” he advised ESPN.
“The guy can do everything and for a left-footed [player], has a right foot which is incredible. But still has to improve and he’s young, with like Hatem – when he has to get rid of the ball, when he has to give the ball is either half a second too early or half a second too late. It’s a real rhythm that he has to get, that’s what football is about for me.
“I have no doubt that he is going to improve, Laurent Blanc gave him a full season last year with Lyon in Ligue 1. But only scored five goals with six assists playing on the right side, coming in from his left foot, he should have been better and I think he is going to be better.
“I think it’s a good investment, but sorry again I am not sure that’s the kind of player Chelsea need right now. They need experienced players. They don’t need future, they need the present.”
Ben Arfa sparked from time to time at Newcastle however his three years at St James’ Park had been inconsistent, regardless of the expertise he clearly possessed.
Chelsea will hope that Leboeuf’s comparability proves incorrect and that Cherki can go on to be a profitable signing, if they will agree on a price with Lyon to land the 19-year-old with a brilliant future within the sport.