Chelsea fans no longer want Paulo Dybala transfer after finding out which other playmaker they are linked with
CHELSEA fans have called on the club to sign Lyon forward Rayan Cherki ahead of Roma man Paulo Dybala.
Dybala, 29, is being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer – with Blues centre-back Thiago Silva revealing he begged the Argentine to join him in West London.
But ESPN are now reporting Lyon star Cherki, 19, is another Chelsea target.
Paris Saint-Germain saw a bid rejected for the Frenchman back in January.
However, Lyon are understood to be open to a sale as they bid to offload players this summer in order to keep within Financial Fair Play regulations.
And Chelsea have a good relationship with the Ligue 1 club as they signed Malo Gusto from them in the January window.
Cherki, who has a contract with Lyon until 2025, contributed four goals and six assists in 21 league matches last season.
He also impressed at the Under-21 European Championships for France – where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals – with Chelsea scouts in attendance to watch the versatile playmaker.
Cherki, who would set Chelsea back in the region of £34million, can play on either flank, as a No10, or even a false nine.
And Blues supporters are far more keen on him compared with Dybala.
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When comparing the two, one social media user said: “This isn’t even a debate. One is 19, one is 30. It’s definitely Cherki. Besides maybe we get both .”
Another added: “Cherki without any second thoughts. Younger and maybe has the higher ceiling. His injury record is far more impressive, and his age will again be beneficial to us because he’ll get to play and build a long-term chemistry with our youngsters.”
While a third replied: “Give me Cherki. Don’t want a player that’s being shipped around everywhere and living on past hype.”
Chelsea have signed a number of young players since Todd Boehly’s takeover including the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke.
But they have seen a host of players leave this summer such as Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta.
New manager Mauricio Pochettino is overseeing mass change among personnel as he attempts to turn around the club’s fortunes following their 12th place finish in the Premier League last season.