Reports over the weekend suggest that Chelsea may have lost the battle with Manchester United but could yet win the war.
Because despite their 2-0 loss at Old Trafford on Sunday they could win the race for the signature of one of Europe’s hottest properties.
British media outlet, The Daily Express, reports:
CHELSEA are ready to steal a march on Manchester United in the race to sign £25m-rated Belgium ace Youri Tielemans
Tielemans has been highly regarded since he first put on a pair of boots. He played at every youth international level for Belgium and made his debut for the senior team at the age of 19 in November 2016. He’s now got two international caps.
And that has come from sensational club form for one so young – Tielemans is captain of Anderlecht despite his tender age.
The midfielder has already scored 34 times and played a remarkable 168 games for Anderlecht in the Belgian league since making his debut way back in 2013. He became the youngest Belgian player to play in the Champions League when he was selected against Olympiakos at just 16 years and 148 days.
Players who start this young can burn out early like Wayne Rooney appears to have done by the age of 30. But Tielemans has a great physique and looks tailor made for the rigours of the Premier League. And he would easily slip into Antonio Conte’s system of hard running and combative midfielders.
He’s an athletic box to box midfielder who defends, passes beautifully and scores goals. He could be a top long-term signing for Chelsea in the mould of Ghana’s Michael Essien.
Chelsea fans: would he get in the team ahead of Nemanja Matic?