Former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick has revealed that he expects Thomas Tuchel to copy Manchester City and Liverpool tactics with the potential signing of Raheem Sterling and Raphinha.
Chelsea allowed Romelu Lukaku to join Inter Milan on a season-long deal for €10 million. It seems that Chelsea is not in the transfer market to sign a direct replacement for Romelu Lukaku, this means Chelsea will have to play without an out-and-out striker for the whole season.
The Blues are in the transfer market trying to sign Raphinha from Leeds United and Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. Chelsea had agreed on a €55 million transfer with Leeds United for the Brazillian international and now all that is left for Chelsea to agree on personal terms with Raphinha.
There are reports that Chelsea has already submitted a formal proposal to Raphinha and his agent waiting for them to agree.
Chelsea has also opened an official negotiation with Manchester City for the potential transfer of Raheem Sterling this summer. Manchester City has placed a €50 million price tag on the English international.
However, Luke Chadwick believes with the potential signing of Raheem Sterling and Raphinha, Thomas Tuchel has to copy Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp has been playing over the years with a natural striker.
What did Luke Chadwick say?
In an interview Caughtoffsifde, the former Manchester United player said: “I think Raphinha has been brilliant for Leeds. He’s a hugely gifted player, travels with the ball so well, he’s got pace and skill, and he’ll add something to any top team.
“It seems like Tuchel has had a bit of a change of heart in terms of his tactics with his front players. Lukaku was brought in to add a real physical presence and give them the option to play more directly, but it never really worked out.
“If they bring in Raphinha and Raheem Sterling, those are more mobile players who run with the ball and pop up in different positions. Raphinha is a perfect fit for that, and it’s a bit more like how Liverpool and Manchester City have played over the years, without a real out-and-out number 9. It looks like Tuchel is going down that route as well, and I think Raphinha can really excel in that kind of system.
“He can run at players, he’s a goal threat, he can get wide and cross the ball – it gives Chelsea a new dimension. Sterling’s similar and has played that kind of football for almost his whole career at Man City, so he should adapt quite easily.
“It’s probably a good idea for Chelsea to try to take something from the way that Liverpool and Man City have played, though ironically they’ve now both gone out and spent big money on number 9s this summer.”
Chelsea is also closing in on Nathan Ake for €40 million from Manchester City and has also submitted €34 million-plus Christian Pulisic for Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus as a replacement for departed Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
