Chelsea are interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic, as Xabi Alonso looks to improve his options in the final third – and Rafa Benitez has explained why another Chelsea target is perfect for him.
Chelsea have been regularly linked with Vlahovic over the years, but this summer, things are different. The Serbian ace is out of contract at the end of the month, and a new deal looks unlikely at this late stage.
Julian Alvarez, Dusan Vlahovic and Jean Philippe-Mateta could all be available in 2026. Who would you like to see Chelsea sign?
Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu did not convince at all in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth
Chelsea are supposedly leading the race to nab Vlahovic’s signature and lure the former Fiorentina star to Stamford Bridge on a free. It would see Chelsea add some top-quality competition alongside Joao Pedro.
It might even see Alonso drop Pedro into a deeper role if he uses his 3-4-2-1 system, or perhaps combine the two up top. But if Chelsea sign Vlahovic, they should consider his Juventus teammate too.
Rafa Benitez explains why Andrea Cambiaso is ideal for Vlahovic
Chelsea are not only in the market for a striker. They also require a left-back with Marc Cucurella edging towards the exit door. Manchester United have joined the race for the Spain defender this summer.
Juventus star Andrea Cambiaso has emerged as a £45m Chelsea target. The Italy international seems well-suited to the way Alonso likes to play, with Cambiaso drawing comparisons with Alejandro Grimaldo.
After Juventus’ 3-2 Champions League win over Leipzig in 2024, former Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez did a detailed UEFA analysis of how Cambiaso got the best out of Vlahovic, and why Cambiaso excites him.
Analysing Juve’s first in which Cambiaso set Vlahovic up to score, Benitez reports: “Cambiaso receives the ball and, with his positioning, he is able to deliver a successful cross, Vlahović attacks the space.”
Benitez went on to say: “Cambiaso – stepping inside or advancing down the left from his left-back position – was vital to that [the win],” before adding: “I liked the way Cambiaso switched positions:
“He’d move wide, drop back, move inside. He always made the right pass – often a penetrating pass. His contribution made a difference for Juventus, though they still needed the magical moments of Vlahović.”
Cambiaso and Vlahovic’s Juventus connection in numbers
Cambiaso is an old-school left-sided winger, but has been largely used as a wing-back at Juventus. The kind of player to go past a man and reach the byline, or swing in an early cross looking for a striker.
Who would you sign to replace Marc Cucurella? 🫵
Andrea Cambiaso is the latest player to be linked.
It suits the robust, physical centre-forward in Vlahovic. Since Cambiaso broke into Juventus’s starting XI, Vlahovic has scored 45 goals for Juventus over the last three seasons. Five have come from Cambiaso.
Not just five assists, but Cambiaso has also created 11 big chances for Vlahovic to score. This season alone, Cambiaso has laid on 12 big chances for Juve. If Chelsea get Vlahovic, then they need Cambiaso.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
