Chelsea are set to sign Mathis Amougou from Saint-Etienne in a deal worth about £12.5m.
Midfield is by no means the weakest position in Chelsea’s squad, with Enzo Maresca possessing Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia.
The Italian also has Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was signed from Leicester City last summer.
However, Dewsbury-Hall has barely kicked a ball this season, while Lavia continues to pick up injuries. It is likely why Chelsea have decided to sign Amougou, though there have been suggestions that the 19-year-old could join Strasbourg.
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Mathis Amougou set to be part of Chelsea’s first team
Despite his young age, Chelsea look ready to integrate Amougou into their first team, rather than loan him out to sister club Strasbourg.
According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Chelsea want Amougou to be part of Maresca’s main group.
It makes some sense, with Lavia still sidelined and Dewsbury-Hall not getting a look-in at Stamford Bridge.
Whether Amougou is ready to fill in for Caicedo or Fernandez when required, though, remains to be seen.
While a new midfielder is set to arrive at Chelsea, the Blues now look unlikely to sign a new winger. Chelsea were heavily linked with Alejandro Garnacho, but the club have not agreed a deal with Manchester United to sign him.
Mathis Amougou an inexperienced recruit
Amougou is young and still fairly inexperienced, but the France U19 international is not a complete novice.
This season, Amougou has made 17 appearances in Ligue 1, so he would be arriving at the Bridge with at least some experience.
However, that is nowhere near enough for someone who may be expected to cover for Caicedo or Fernandez, world-class midfielders.
In the future, Amougou could become a very good midfielder. But as of now, he looks like he will just be an extra body for Maresca to use during an emergency.
Chelsea fans are going to be really worried if Caicedo or Fernandez pick up a serious injury in the Premier League this term.
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