Reports linking Chelsea with a move for Monaco midfielder have been doing the rounds for quite a while now. The 22-year old has been instrumental in the French side’s title challenge this season and as a result, was offered a new contract. But according to reports, Bakayoko has rejected the new offer, handing Chelsea a boost in their chase for him.
Antonio Conte has been looking to add a midfielder to his squad, since the departure of midfield duo Oscar and John Obi Mikel to the Chinese Super League in the January transfer window. And with Bakayoko rejecting the contract extension, there are good chances that Chelsea could be in business. But should they make a move? We analyze;
Bakayoko joined Monaco in 2014, after an impressive first season with Rennes first-team and has been absolutely brilliant in the middle of the park for the Principality outfit. He has gone on from strength to strength over the past two years and has formed a deadly duo alongside Brazilian, Fabinho, in the midfield for the club this season.
An all-action energetic midfielder, Bakayoko is extremely athletic and is excellent with the ball at his feet. His pace allows him to cover the ground quickly and as a result, he is always a step ahead of his opponents and has shown great strength in bullying them off the ball or winning it back with crunching tackles.
As such, the 22-year old has attempted 95 tackles this season in the Ligue 1, from his 21 appearances, and has triumphed in 44 of those attempts. His 43 interceptions this term, indicate the level of intelligence and the awareness he displays to deny the opposition a stronghold in the middle of the park. Extremely strong in the air as well, Bakayoko has won 65% of his 65 attempted aerial duels, highlighting his strength and physicality.
Despite his great defensive game, it would be a mistake to think of the youngster as just a midfield enforcer. His ability on the ball makes him a threat going forward as well, as indicated by the 42 take-ons he has won from an attempted 62, at a success rate of 68%. The Frenchman has scored twice and assisted one strike this term and has created 10 clear-cut opportunities.
He may not be prolific in terms of goalscoring or creating chances, but he has shown the ability to set his teammates on course with his passing and ability to play the ball out of defence, having played close to 1000 passes this term, with a very impressive accuracy of 87%. With 66.8% of his 998 attempted passes having been in the forward direction, Bakayoko has shown he can bring the more creative outlets of his team into business.
Given the way the Chelsea midfield pairing of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic have performed this season, it is hard to think of replacing them. But if Bakayoko is being targeted by Conte, it will most likely be as an alternative for Matic, given Kante’s sensational form and his utmost importance for the Blues this season. And on consideration, the 22-year old Monaco man looks a fine fit alongside his compatriot, instead of Matic. Bakayoko, like the tall Serbian, plays on the left-side of the central midfield for his team and is a tireless worker with great abilities on the ball.
In the system that Chelsea play, he would be a perfect fit with his drive and energy in the midfield. Much like Kante, Bakayoko will cover each blade of grass and with his compatriot to offer cover for him, he could be encouraged to get forward more and develop his expansive style of play.
Considering his young age and the maturity he has shown, there is no doubt Bakayoko is a special talent and has all the required abilities to dominate the midfield at the biggest of the stages. And with Chelsea well on their way to the title, and with European football a certainty, it would benefit them endlessly to have a talent like Bakayoko in their ranks.