Chelsea Transfer News: Kwadwo Asamoah Boost from Juventus, Latest Blues Rumours
June 6, 2016
Juventus are reportedly ready to let versatile midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah leave the club this summer in order to complete a move to Chelsea.
That's according to Julian Cardillo of Gazzetta dello Sport (translated by Fabiana Della Valle), who stated the Italian champions would be “more than willing” to move on the 27-year-old.
Incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte, who used Asamoah to great effect during his time in charge of the Bianconeri, is noted as a potential suitor.
Asamoah was a key man under the tutelage of Conte, typically occupying the left wing-back role in the Italian’s 3-5-2 system. These are the kind of talents he can bring to a team:
The Ghana international was one of the most underrated midfielders in the world at full tilt. The energy he brought to the Bianconeri was astounding, able to contribute in defence, in attack and even cover central areas. Asamoah could do a job at left-back and in the middle of the park when required too.
But since Conte’s departure he’s drifted down the pecking order, with current manager Massimiliano Allegri preferring the younger Alex Sandro to patrol the left. Asamoah, as a result, only featured in 11 Serie A games in 2015-16.
Even so Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe thinks Chelsea and the Premier League would be an exciting destination for the player:
While he’s had injury issues over the last couple of seasons, Asamoah is approaching what should be the peak years of his career. That won’t have escaped Conte, and the chance to trade in a periphery position at his current club for a potentially key role under a manager who’s got the best from him previously will appeal to the Juventus man.
It’ll be a shame to see Asamoah leave the Bianconeri, as he was a crucial factor in the club reasserting itself at the summit of Italian football. But a new challenge and increased responsibility could bring the best out of this determined footballer once again.
Paris Saint-Germain Eye N’Golo Kante
According to Laurie Whitwell of the Daily Mail, Paris Saint-Germain are to bid £20 million for reported Chelsea target N’Golo Kante.
It’s noted by Whitwell that offer would trigger a clause in the player’s contract, meaning he would be allowed to speak to the French champions. “Chelsea are also interested but Kante has not yet taken a decision on his future and is expected to wait until after UEFA Euro 2016,” it’s added, with interest from Manchester City and Arsenal also suggested.
The central-midfield berths will certainly be a position Conte is looking to improve, with Chelsea looking a little flimsy in the middle of the park last term. The France international would stiffen up that area.
With those kind of clubs interested, it’d be a coup for the Blues to lure Kante to Stamford Bridge next season.
The impact the player had on Leicester’s memorable title triumph was summed up superbly by the club’s head of recruitment, per 101 Great Goals:
PSG would be an enticing proposition for Kante. While Ligue 1 may not be the most competitive, it’s a country he knows well, he would be handsomely paid and the midfielder would be part of a team that will be doing everything possible to win the UEFA Champions League next season.
Chelsea have no European football to offer, something that could make Stamford Bridge a more difficult sell. The player could be tempted by the chance to work with Conte, though, and English football seems tailor made for his many talents. However, PSG would be tough to turn down for the France international.