Chelsea are yet to make any major movement ahead of the summer window, with Xabi Alonso possibly waiting to take office first. But a Liverpool player has now emerged as a Blues target.
Alonso has visited Cobham but will not officially start work until July 1. The new Blues manager has plenty to sort out when he finally arrives, with Chelsea boasting a Europe-primed squad without Europe.
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When this summer’s new arrivals, returning loanees and World Cup players report for pre-season duty, it might be that Chelsea have the best part of 40 senior players to choose from, and that has to change.
Not least, because Chelsea need to raise funds having failed to qualify for Europe. That, and Alonso will want to make a few new signings too, with a Liverpool player now deemed an ‘intriguing’ option.
Xabi Alonso wants to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Liverpool
It has been a difficult 12 months for Frimpong. After sparkling at Celtic and even more so under Alonso at Leverkusen, Frimpong completed a £30m move to Liverpool. But it has not gone to plan on Merseyside.
Injuries and being used as a right-back rather than a wing-back have affected Frimpong’s form in a red shirt. It is early into his Liverpool stint, but an exit is a possibility with Arne Slot since being sacked.
According to reporter Sebastien Vidal, Chelsea are considering a move for Frimpong with the Dutch ace considered an ‘intriguing’ option at Cobham. Indeed, Alonso remains a keen admirer of his old player.
Vidal reported: “Jeremie Frimpong could reunite with Xabi Alonso. Chelsea’s new coach still appreciates the Dutchman’s profile. Frimpong is seen as an intriguing option to bolster the Blues’ right flank.”
Frimpong’s numbers under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen
Of course, it is an easy link to make. Alonso arrived at Leverkusen two years after Frimpong had joined the German club from Celtic. But it was under the Spanish gaffer that he enjoyed the best years of his career.
Jeremie Frimpong at right wing-back? Reece James in central defence? Let Xabi Alonso cook! 🔥
Frimpong left Leverkusen after clocking up 190 appearances in all competitions for the German side. He had a hand in 74 goals, scoring 30 times and laying on 44 assists – but most of those came under Alonso.
With Alonso in charge, Frimpong played 81 matches. He scored an impressive 28 of his 30 goals with the current Chelsea gaffer in the dugout, while 30 of his 44 assists came during Alonso’s era as manager.
If anyone knows how to unlock Frimpong, it is Alonso. Chelsea have Malo Gusto and Reece James as options on the right but Gusto’s future is a doubt and James might be pushed into central midfield.
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