Of course, there has been all this talk about Chelsea needing to sign proven and experienced players this summer. I, myself, have been making that case for months now. Yet, that should not mean that the club should pass up on the chance to sign elite youngsters if the opportunity was present.
It was less than a week ago that I wrote about Chelsea needing to make a move for Luka Vuskovic of Tottenham. The 19-year-old Croatian is an elite centre-back prospect. But with Tottenham trying to sign so many centre-backs this summer, there could be a chance to swoop in.
And already, other Premier League clubs are making their move. Names Brighton & Hove Albion, a club with an elite record of identifying talent.
According to The Athletic, Brighton & Hove Albion have made a £30 million offer to sign defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur.
Why Chelsea cannot allow Brighton to win this race
Firstly, Chelsea need to strengthen at centre-back. And ideally, they will part ways with multiple of their current ones this summer.
It has already been agreed between Chelsea and Axel Disasi that a permanent exit is the best route forward. But he is not the only one who would benefit from that.
Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are two other names who could head for the exit door. Trevoh Chalobah is not a starting-level centre-back either. But he can be a decent rotational option.
Someone like Vuskovic would be a perfect addition to this Chelsea squad. He fits the profile they have been looking for. And he is a much more ready talent than most of the ones they have signed in recent years.
Why Luka Vuskovic might be ready
Vuskovic was signed by Tottenham Hotspur for around £12 million. He spent the season out on loan in Germany with Hamburg. And some of the numbers he put up are staggering.
To give you a glimpse, Vuskovic was in the 97th percentile for clearances, 96th percentile for defensive contributions, 95th percentile for blocked shots, 92nd percentile for recoveries, 91st percentile for interceptions, 98th percentile for aerial duels won and 95th percentile for overall duels won.
Those are the numbers of a 19-year-old centre-back playing his first season of football in a big five European league. Just imagine how much better he can get.
Vuskovic would be in the centre-back mix at Chelsea from the get-go, even if he is not a starter. And if Xabi Alonso wants to play with three at the back, it is very possible that he could even find a place for him in the starting XI.
One would imagine that Alonso still keeps up with the Bundesliga. If so, Vuskovic surely would have caught his eye this season. For £30 million, it seems to be a no-brainer.
