Bakayoko’s Move To Chelsea Further Fueled By Matic’s Exit
Reuters / Eric Gaillard
Tiemoue Bakayoko is among Antonio Conte’s extending list of wanted players, as he looks to redesign and revamp the current team. According to The Times, the possible move for the defensive midfielder from Monaco was given a boost after Nemanja Matic’s decision to leave was made known to the club.
While the price tag for Bakayoko has already agreed between either clubs at a value around £36 million, the deal is yet to be penned down by the player. This is also expected to happen soon, including his medical at Chelsea.
Antonio Conte, despite winning the Premier League with his London side, is looking to make some solid impact on the transfer market this summer.
Matic’s move might persuade midfielder Cesc Fabregas to stay, despite him staying on the bench for a major part of last season. The Serbian’s switch also opens up space in the defensive midfield position, allowing for a change in tactic, or a newer player to show his talent.
While the Italian gaffer does want to be active, he doesn’t seem to be compromising on quality. Aiming to make a mark in Europe next season in the UEFA Champions League, Bakayoko seems to be an arrow in the right direction.
At just 22 years of age, the Frenchman shows strength and presence of mind similar to many veterans of the game. Having started in multiple games for Monaco in their title winning run, he understood his role well, as he played the link between the forward through balls and tracking back to close spaces between the striker and midfielder.
After having scouted the player over multiple games in the CL, this is certainly not a decision made in haste by the Blues’ management.
However, it still won’t be an easy move to Chelsea for the young lad, as Monaco are desperately trying to hold on to their youngsters after a formidable season. Having sold Bernardo Silva to City already, Fabinho and Mbappe are being heavily linked to a move away from Stade Louis II as well.
If Monaco do end up selling the France international, he won’t be offloaded for cheap – as we have already seen in deals involving Anthony Martial and Bernardo Silva.
Written by Srivats Venkateswaran 
Sports writer with a long experience of writing in football.Was football team head at EssentiallySports. Still deeply misses Sir Alex and Berbatov at United. An introvert at heart with a poetic hand. Engineer by choice, writer by passion.