Mohammed Kudus, a Ghanaian midfielder, has drawn interest from a number of top European clubs, with Chelsea being the most recent to join the list.
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The 22-year-old has become a target for Pochetinho’s team, according to a report on Saturday in the Athletic, who are eager to atone for their dismal performance from the previous campaign.
However, they are also thought to be considering prospects like Michael Olise of Crystal Palace and Rayan Cherki, a French offensive midfielder.
All three players appear to have potential, but considering Kudus’ versatility, he may end up being the Blues’ all-around footballer.
Here are five reasons why Chelsea decided to sign the gifted player.
Possibly a choice for central midfield
Chelsea may step up their efforts to sign Mohammed Kudus for a number of reasons, starting with a lack of adequate central midfielders. Despite the presence of Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei, who are seen as the club’s future, the Blues are keen to acquire expertise in that position after losing Jorgingho and Kovacic to Arsenal and Manchester City, respectively. Gallagher is also anticipated to leave because, according to rumors, he is unnecessary.
Enzo is still the only noteworthy center midfielder with experience, therefore other players would need to support him. The agreement between Chelsea and Brighton is the only thing standing in the way of Caicedo joining the Blues.
Should that deal go through, the Ecuadorian cannot play alongside Enzo all season due to the possibility of injuries and the volume of games the London team will play.
Although Kudus is not a particularly noteworthy center midfielder, he has played more centrally in the past while playing for Nordjaelland, and his strength carrying the ball and quick left foot give him the advantage to keep possession.
Kudus can perform all offensive duties
Kudus stands out from the other two candidates on Chelsea’s list because of his adaptability. Due to his versatility, which includes being able to play as a center-forward, he may be preferred. He has performed in that capacity numerous times for Ajax, demonstrating his skill as a clinical finisher. Simply put, he starts out with a comparative advantage over Olise and Cherki.
Kudus, although not being a great passer relative to scoring goals, can still be a productive attacking midfielder in addition to establishing himself as a livewire from the right wing on numerous occasions. The Black Stars midfielder can therefore be a powerful force behind the striker depending on Pochettino’s instructions, and the departure of Mount and Haverts may prompt Pochettino to take that into consideration.
Kudus is Affordable and available right now
Kudus is now accessible. He would probably still be available the next year, but more clubs would have entered the competition. If the Ajax player continues to thrive for another season, it can even result in a bidding battle. Kudus’s value will increase as a result of the numerous proposals that he transfer to the Bundesliga, Brighton and Hove Albion, or remain at Ajax in order to advance. Because of this, Chelsea might act quickly to sign him in order to avoid any potential rivalries in their search for the player. He would cost just under £40 million this summer, but if he maintains his impressive form, his price tag when he joins another team would be higher.
Player’s eagerness to continue elsewhere
Due to the price tag as well as the player’s eagerness to move on, this summer seems to be the ideal time for Chelsea to make the transfer. His representative announced a few months ago that he had declined a contract extension to play for the Dutch giants for an additional year, indicating his readiness to begin a new chapter.
In the course of a single season, anything is possible, including the player’s decision to extend his contract with Ajax or take a job offer elsewhere. With Manchester United choosing Mount and Arsenal choosing Havertz, it is a relief that other teams who had initially expressed interest have not truly showed seriousness.
Kudus has played at the maximum level possible
Kudus has experienced everything with both club and nation. He scored four goals in six group games for the UEFA Champions League, including strikes against Napoli and Liverpool.
He represented Ghana at the World Cup, where he displayed his talent. Despite Ghana’s early withdrawal from the tournament, Kudus stood out by scoring two important goals and assisting Ghana’s opening goal against Portugal, giving them their lone victory. Even in their last group game, Kudus’ misadventure earned Ghana a penalty against Uruguay that was missed.
