Chelsea eyes Leandro Paredes

Chelsea eyes Leandro Paredes

Peter Day Atanley 

Brighton & Hove Albion appears increasingly likely to retain Moisés Caicedo this summer, prompting Chelsea to explore alternative, more budget-friendly midfield options that possess distinct qualities.

One such option gaining attention is Leandro Paredes, who has been associated with Chelsea on prior occasions, notably in January 2019 when he was considered as a replacement for Cesc Fàbregas. Despite those rumors, Paredes chose to join PSG, where he has remained, including a loan stint at Juventus last season. With only one year remaining on his contract, he seems surplus to requirements at PSG.

Reports suggest Chelsea is considering making a bid for Paredes once again, as reported by the Evening Standard. The 29-year-old may not align with Chelsea's current transfer strategy, given the financial constraints posed by Fair Play regulations. 

However, Paredes brings experience, having collaborated with Pochettino during his time at PSG. Additionally, his partnership with Enzo in the Argentina national team could translate into a potent midfield pairing.

Nonetheless, this signing appears to deviate from Chelsea's optimal approach, involving the potential investment in a mid-tier player that doesn't precisely address their needs and contributes to squad congestion and wage expenditure.

 Choosing not to pursue Paredes could create space for young talents like Andre Santos and other academy graduates to flourish.