Chelsea have brought in Xabi Alonso as their new manager. And most people expect the club to at least try and sign some players from the Spaniard’s past, whether that be Real Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. There have been all these rumours about Arda Guler, Alejandro Grimaldo, Edmond Tapsoba and more.
Now, Chelsea are being linked with another Bayer Leverkusen player. Naturally, most would assume that it is someone Alonso enjoyed great success with in Germany.
On the contrary, this is someone who joined Bayer Leverkusen after Alonso was gone. So, he never played under the Spaniard and there is no past connection to fall back on there.
According to the Daily Mail, Ibrahim Maza of Bayer Leverkusen is on Chelsea’s radar this summer as well as that of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
Chelsea eyeing Bayer Leverkusen youngster despite no Xabi Alonso connection
Maza is 20 years of age and is a full international for Algeria. He is currently away at the World Cup, where they will begin the campaign against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
At the club level, Maza has played his football in Germany. And although he is just 20 years old, he has made close to a hundred senior appearances already.
He came through the youth ranks at Hertha BSC. He would leave the club to join Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
Maza never crossed paths with Alonso, who had already moved on to Real Madrid, who would sack him some months later. But that has not stopped Chelsea from eyeing a move for the youngster.
Have BlueCo really changed?
Going into this summer, there has been all this talk about BlueCo changing their ways and trying to sign proven and experienced players. This is far from it though.
Maza is a decent talent for sure. But would you consider him someone who would come in and change things for Chelsea? Would he even start?
This would be exactly the kind of signing BlueCo have always made. And if they don’t change their transfer policy, do not expect Chelsea’s results to turn either.
Yes, there are some elite youngsters out there who Chelsea should try to sign this summer. But Maza might not be in that category just yet. If you ask me, this is not the move the Blues need at this time.
