Moussa Dembele is the latest striker to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in January (The Telegraph). The 23-year-old has been on great form for Lyon once more this season, but here is why Chelsea should not pursue his signature.
The French striker has made 17 league appearances for Lyon this season and scored an impressive 10 goals. This works out as a goal every 135 minutes. Chelsea’s current number 9, Tammy Abraham, is currently working at a rate of a goal every 112 minutes.
Both of these are impressive numbers, but if Dembele were to come in, he would not initially displace Chelsea’s young English forward. This could prove to be a sticking point in the transfer.
Dembele is used to being the main man at Lyon and has featured in all but one of the French sides league games. He may not be happy moving to the Bridge to play a back-up role to Abraham.
Chelsea will have their reservations on whether he would be able to replicate his form in Ligue 1 in the Premier League. Despite his side qualifying for the last-16 of the competition, Dembele has been quiet in the Champions League.
He failed to score in any of his sides group games. This leads to questions about his ability to perform at the highest level against world-class defenders.
It is hard to argue with Dembele’s league record, but he may struggle to adapt to the Premier League. If the transfer fee is high, Chelsea may be better off targeting someone like Timo Werner.
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