Despite calls for Chelsea to rethink their transfer model after the failures of the first four seasons under BlueCo ownership, it looks like the club management have no such plans. On the contrary, they might be doubling down on their strategy, if reports are anything to go by.
Earlier today, I reported about Chelsea’s interest in RC Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare. The 23-year-old is playing his first season of top flight football in France and has already caught the eye of the Blues.
Now, it looks like another talent from France is on their radar. In this case, they will have known about him for a while. After all, he is on the books of Strasbourg.
The player I am talking about is Rayane Messi. Strasbourg’s 18-year-old winger is currently out on loan at Saudi Pro League side Neom FC. But a future move to Stamford Bridge could already be in the works.
Chelsea appear to be readying move for Rayane Messi of Strasbourg
Chelsea constantly making moves for Strasbourg’s players has been a controversial strategy. Earlier this year, they even went out and got their manager, Liam Rosenior, to replace Enzo Maresca.
Naturally, Strasbourg supporters are not happy with the BlueCo ownership. Yet, it does not look like Chelsea have any plans to change their strategy of recruiting from their sister club.
According to TEAMtalk, Messi is being lined up for a future move to Chelsea. Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have all made enquiries about the Strasbourg winger.
Who is Strasbourg winger Rayane Messi?
Messi was part of the youth ranks at Versailles before moving to Dijon. It is there that he got his first taste of senior level football. At 16 years of age, he made his debut for the club, becoming the youngest player ever to do so.
That was enough to catch the eye of Strasbourg, who signed him. Interestingly, Messi has only made two appearances for the club, scoring twice as well.
He was sent out on loan to Ligue 2 side Pau in the first half of the season. He made 16 appearances and scored twice for them before heading to Saudi club Neom SC. He has scored and assisted once each in six outings.
Clearly, he must be doing something right to be drawing interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe already. Of course, if his name is anything to go by, he is in for quite the career.
