Chelsea are closing on a shrewd acquisition ahead of the forthcoming winter market, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano…
What’s the word?
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is poised to pounce for his first January transfer window move, with the Blues set to complete the signing of David Datro Fofana from Molde following an update from Romano.
The Italian reporter has confirmed that the Blues are ‘on the verge of signing’ the 19-year-old, with a full agreement in place for the transfer, which is set to exceed €10m (£8.7m).
With Chelsea scoring the fewest goals of any team in the Premier League’s top half and promising forward Armando Broja picking up a season-ending ACL injury, the swoop for Fofana comes at a good time for Graham Potter and co.
Didier Drogba 2.0
Chelsea look set to clinch an exciting deal for a prospect who might just burst into the forefront of the reckoning in the coming years.
With Brighton also desperately trying to secure his services, there’s a good indicator that the Blues are onto something special, with the Seagulls’ scouting network known to be exemplary.
Fofana, who has signed from prominent Norwegian outfit Molde, has emanated a cloud of intrigue over his ability, boasting a formidable goalscoring record but his application on the biggest stage yet to be truly tested.
The 19-year-old Ivorian also cited iconic compatriot Didier Drogba as his inspiration as he forged his own journey into professional football, saying to Norwegian outlet TV2 – via the Evening Standard – that signing for the London giants has been a lifelong dream.
He stated: “Chelsea have been my favourite club since I was little. Drogba played there, so they have always been my club. So it’s my dream.
Describing the former Blues talisman as his idol will evoke a sense of optimistic nostalgia among many supporters of the club, who might feel that lightning could strike twice and Stamford Bridge could be home to a devastating Ivorian striker once more.
Drogba played 381 matches for Chelsea across two spells in west London, scoring 164 goals and supplying 86 assists as he led the club to unprecedented glory, winning 12 major honours with the Blues, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
With Fofana, Chelsea might yet enjoy a “top class” talent (as hailed by Mark Goldbridge) with every bit of clinical prowess lying in wait that the 44-year-old himself boasted in his prime.
For Molde last term, the teenager netted 17 goals and delivered six assists across 29 appearances, with the two-cap Ivorian also scoring four goals in the Europa Conference League.
With Broja sidelined for several months, Chelsea might be forced to accelerate their blueprint for Fofana’s success and integrate him into the team immediately, offering him the platform to grasp an opportunity and test his mettle against formidable Premier League opposition.
