One of Xabi Alonso’s priorities this summer will be to bring in a new left-sided winger at Chelsea, or to at least sort out his options on the left flank – and Arsenal might give him the perfect opportunity.
When Alonso finally takes office at Chelsea, he will inherit a squad that boasts Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens as the natural options on the left, with Pedro Neto and Estevao seen as right-sided wingers.
Alejandro Garnacho or Pedro Neto, who are you keeping if one has to be sold this summer?
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Geovany Quenda will join this summer from Sporting, and while he is also better off the right, he is still largely unproven. Chelsea need to sort out their options on the left and sign an experienced wide man.
Garnacho could leave Chelsea this summer, and while Gittens may be given a chance to hang around, the Blues need a starting option on the left. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli might be the ideal summer signing.
Arsenal stance on Martinelli should tempt Chelsea
It’s been seven years since Arsenal paid a £6m fee to sign the unknown Martinelli from Brazilian minnows Ituano. Since then, he has established himself as one of Arsenal’s key players during the Mikel Arteta era.
But Arsenal have outgrown Martinelli. With Leandro Trossard preferred and Morgan Rogers set to join the Gunners, The Guardian reports that Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for Martinelli during the window.
That should put Chelsea on red alert. Martinelli is proven in the Premier League, young at 25 yet he is still experienced, and a move to Chelsea would give him the first-choice platform he badly needs at this stage.
Having played back-up for a year at The Emirates, Martinelli needs a fresh start, and what better way of doing so than by remaining in London and becoming Chelsea’s solution to Alonso’s left-wing problem.
Why Martinelli would be perfect for Alonso at Chelsea
A total of 66 goals and assists in 191 Premier League appearances for Arsenal prove Martinelli is more than proven in England’s top flight; he is a consistent threat. Especially as he’s only started 128 times.
Who do you want to see Chelsea sign for each of these positions? 👀
These are the FOUR areas the club have identified for this summer…
- Goalkeeper
- Central defender
- Central midfielder
- Left winger
But the numbers prove Martinelli is ideal for Alonso’s style of play. His best season at Arsenal came in 2022-23, when he scored 15 Premier League goals. Those out-to-in runs made him difficult to handle.
At Leverkusen, Alonso turned Jeremie Frimpong into an auxiliary striker, doing the same kind of thing Martinelli has mastered in the Premier League. Arsenal fans love Martinelli mostly due to his work rate.
Incessant, constant closing down, he would suit a high press that was crucial to Alonso’s unbeaten run in 2023-24 at Leverkusen. Alonso’s side would often bait a side out, leaving gaps in behind to exploit.
The need for speed out wide is key in Alonso’s system. Well, Martinelli recorded the third-highest speed in the Premier League last season, clocking a 36.74 km/h against Newcastle. He’d be perfect for Alonso.
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