Chelsea are reportedly interested in a midfielder who has been likened to Paul Pogba over the last couple of seasons, and just last week, Kylian Mbappe was asked about those comparisons.
Chelsea are expected to be busy this summer, with many outgoings and a few incomings expected. Marc Cucurella and Jimmy-Jay Morgan have left permanently, joining Real Madrid and West Bromwich Albion.
Plenty are expected to join Cucurella and Morgan, while Xabi Alonso and Chelsea continue to be linked with a whole heap of new signings. The latest is Roma midfielder Manu Kone, with Roma needing to sell.
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Currently with France at the World Cup, 25-year-old Kone has impressed over the last two years in a Roma shirt. Having initially joined on loan from Gladbach, he signed permanently for Roma last summer.
So much so that some sections of French media have compared Kone to Pogba, who remains a France legend after winning the World Cup in 2018. Pogba is now with Monaco, while Kone could join Chelsea.
Kylian Mbappe dismisses likenesses between Kone and Pogba
While on international duty, Real Madrid icon and France captain Mbappe spoke to Mundo Deportivo. France have begun their World Cup campaign in style, defeating Senegal with an impressive 3-1 win.
Mbappe was asked about the comparisons between Chelsea’s latest target, Kone, who is rated by Roma in the region of £43m. The France icon refused to compare the duo: “Let’s not compare him to Paul.
“That would mean expecting him to do what Paul Pogba did, and he won’t. Because there has only ever been one Paul Pogba, and there will only ever be one. In the same way, I hope there is only one Koné.”
What are Chelsea’s chances of signing Manu Kone?
The facts are that Kone is widely recognised as one of Serie A’s best midfielders. Known for his combative nature, his incredible stamina and his ability to glide with the ball from midfield, Kone has been superb.
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A player yet to reach his peak, Kone is firmly integrated in this France World Cup squad, which proves just how good he is. Roma need to sell Kone before June 30th, with £50m required to meet FFP guidelines.
That makes a sale not only likely, but expected and in quick time. However, Chelsea are not alone in their pursuit of Kone. Arsenal and Atletico Madrid also want to land Kone from Roma in the coming days.
Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have Champions League football on the table, while Chelsea don’t. But, the Blues would be able to offer Kone a starting spot in their side, while the others may struggle to do that.
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