All the talk is about Granit Xhaka at the moment, but Chelsea have more than just the Sunderland star on their midfield shortlist. Roma’s France World Cup star Manu Kone is also an option.
Earlier this week, Chelsea were linked with €50m-rated midfielder Kone, with Roma desperately in need of a cash influx before the Financial Fair Play deadline next week. Since then, Xhaka has been linked.
DISCUSS: Granit Xhaka is Chelsea’s perfect summer signing 🔟
Kone is currently with France’s World Cup squad alongside Chelsea defender Malo Gusto, and a possible summer signing in Maxence Lacroix. The Roma ace started France’s third group game against Norway.
While he is a relative unknown to English fans, Kone has gone under the radar, but in terms of his quality, he is highly rated by those who know the Frenchman well. One of those is his predecessor, Patrick Vieira.
Patrick Vieira defends Manu Kone in hilarious Roy Keane dig
Amid the reports that Chelsea are targeting Kone, Vieira was asked about the Roma star on ITV Sport this weekend. He gave a glowing recommendation, before aiming a dig at Manchester United icon Roy Keane.
“He’s had a really good season in Italy with Roma, and came to the World Cup with a couple of injuries. Today, for me, he is the best midfielder in France. I put him ahead of Tchouameni and ahead of Rabiot.
“He’s got this mobility to move around the pitch, he’s aggressive. He’s a ball winner, he’s got technical ability too. He has the facility with the ball to break lines and pass forward,” Vieira claimed about Kone.
Keane asked: “Is he a modern-day water carrier? And I mean that in the nicest way”, before Vieira replied: “I don’t really like that word.” Keane continued: “Defensively, you need those players to win titles.”
Vieira summed up: “He will win the ball, but then he can play forward too. Tchouameni can be frustrating because he passes the ball sideways. People used to say it [water carrier] about Roy at Manchester, too.”
Xhaka or Kone? Or, Xhaka and Kone?
Clearly, Chelsea seem to be pushing for Xhaka as a priority at this stage. It would form a reunion between Xhaka and Chelsea’s new manager, Alonso, though Sunderland are adamant they do not want to sell.
Chelsea have quietly changed their logo (new on the right)🤔
Thoughts?
But Xhaka is keen to rejoin Alonso and if a move materialises, what does it mean for Chelsea’s pursuit of Kone? Does it mean Chelsea will retain an interest, or does it mean the Blues will cool their interest?
Kone and Xhaka are similar players. Able to win the ball back and play forward, both technically gifted. Neither have the attacking prowess of Enzo Fernandez, so they would not be deemed his replacement.
Ultimately, Xhaka and Kone are players who would go alongside Moises Caicedo in the middle of the park, behind a player like Fernandez. It is more likely to be one or the other, than both players.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
