Chelsea Transfer News Today: Arsenal wonderkid battle explodes as 'BEASTS' needed
News
All the latest Chelsea news in one place, including updates on Ayyoub Bouaddi, Morgan Rogers, and Vitor Roque.
Blues to beat Arsenal, Man Utd to Bouaddi
Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is one of the hottest commodities in Europe, which means Chelsea are looking to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Despite having only turned 18 in October, Bouaddi is ever-present for Lille with 20 appearances in all competitions.
Current ETV
Ayyoub Bouaddi
M, DM (C)
Lille
Ayyoub Bouaddi
M, DM (C)
Lille
ETV Range
€31.9M - €39M
The French wonderkid is a box-to-box midfielder who is not afraid of a duel. He wins 5.26 duels per match at a 54.5% success rate, which ranks him in the top half of midfielders in the major European leagues.
He can also progress the ball and be a threat in attack. Bouaddi completes 69.6% of his dribble attempts for an average of 1.38 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, and he gets 2.85 touches in the attacking penalty area per match.
Bouaddi would have to battle for playing time in a Chelsea midfield that includes Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo.
Manchester United are in for Bouaddi, who they view as a Casemiro replacement, as are Arsenal, who could stand to add depth in defensive midfield.
It is rumoured that clubs will have to pay at least €45 million to secure Bouaddi’s services.
Morgan Rogers’ message
Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers sent Chelsea a message while he scored twice in Villa’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
With seven goals and three assists in 17 appearances at 23 years old, Rogers has been one of the main targets for the league’s richest teams for some time now.
But, by lifting his team to three points, he showed that he is both the real deal and that he will cost a fortune to prise from third-placed Villa.
Chelsea news: Morgan Rogers sends brutal transfer message with Aston Villa Brace
Chelsea were rumoured to be battling Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal for Rogers’ signature, but it now appears that a January move will not happen.
Neville says Chelsea need ‘beasts’
Manchester United legend and pundit Gary Neville has claimed that Chelsea needs some experience and athleticism in the center of the pitch.
“You do need an experienced spine,” Neville said. “They’re doing well together, but I get the feeling like they’re not going to get to where the ownership want and it’s not the fault of the manager or player.”
“Chelsea need some beasts,” Neville concluded.
While aforementioned midfielders Bouaddi and Pavlovic might add depth and talent to the midfield ranks, their respective ages and experience levels will not make them the solution to the issue Neville identified.
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Former Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva, now aged 41, was linked with a return to the Bridge before signing with FC Porto.
Former Barcelona wonderkid to London?
FC Barcelona’s 2023 signing of Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque made some headlines, but the player’s return to his home country about 18 months later was seen as a failure on the club’s part.
Chelsea still see potential in the 20-year-old, who has scored 16 goals in 33 league appearances for Palmeiras.
The Blues have Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Marc Guiu as their options up front. Pedro and Delap both joined in the summer of 2025.
That said, Pedro is the only one with multiple goals this season. His tally of six in all competitions is tied for the club lead, while Delap and Guiu have each scored just once.
In November, Roque called it his “dream” to return to Europe, and Chelsea will have to pay around €50m to make it come true.
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