Chelseas three reasons to sign midfield monster if Declan Rice transfer pursuit fails

Chelsea: The first six fixtures of the 2021/22 Premier League

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Chelsea have reportedly made West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice their priority midfield target this summer. However, the Hammers’ valuation could fend off the Blues and other suitors and that’s where alternatives come in.

AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has caught the eyes of many this season.

France under-21 manager Sylvain Ripoll has described Tchouameni as a ‘monster’ as he showcases continued developments in his game.

The 21-year-old made 42 appearances for Monaco, and his performances have seen him linked to several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea.

Express Sport looks at three reasons why he’d be a worthy alternative to Rice for Chelsea this summer.

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Clever positioning and awareness

Tchouameni’s impressive defensive statistics this season have stemmed from his positioning and awareness off the ball.

The Frenchman ranked first for tackles plus interceptions, fifth in successful pressures and fifth in loose ball recoveries in Ligue 1 this season.

When his team loses the ball, he uses his counter-pressing ability to anticipate the opponents’ attack and help Monaco win the ball back high up the pitch.

Monaco won more tackles in the final third than any other Ligue 1 team this season, and Tchouameni was a big reason for that.

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Athleticism benefits defensive ability

Tchouameni thrived as part of a double pivot alongside Youssouf Fofana this season, with the duo interchanging as games went on.

He’d be able to do a similar role alongside Jorginho or N’Golo Kante in Thomas Tuchel’s midfield, using his impressive athleticism to his advantage.

Tchouameni can either drop deep and protect the defence or play a box-to-box role to help progress the ball start attacks.

He boasts quick bursts of pace, strength to help hassle runners, produce breathtaking tackles and apply relentless pressure.

Utilises pace to find spaces

Tchouameni uses his pace to steer clear of opposition defenders and burst into space to help progress attacks.

When on the ball, he uses deception to make his passing unpredictable, drawing comparisons to Barcelona veteran Sergio Busquets.

When on the ball, he also uses his speed and agility to shift away from defenders to give himself more time on the ball to pick out the correct pass.

He has shown enough in the early stages of his career to suggest he’s ready to meet the demands that come with Premier League football.

Tchouameni has the potential to become one of the most well-rounded midfielders around and could be a great player to target if Rice isn’t attainable.

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