Chelsea to go after this 21-year-old starlet as Declan Rice alternative

Transfer News: Chelsea to go after Aurelien Tchouameni as Declan Rice alternative

According to transfer news from Daily Star, Chelsea might go after Aurelien Tchouameni as an alternative to Declan Rice. While Rice has been a target for a year now, it is understood that he will cost a lot. That means the Blues have lined up Tchouameni as an alternative.

A youth product of Girondins Bordeaux, Tchouameni started out at SJ D’Artigues in 2006 and spent five years there. After that, he moved to Bordeaux’s academy and continued on his development. In 2017, he was promoted to the Bordeaux B side but due to his rapid progress, they pushed him up to the senior side within a season.

The young French midfielder came to the fore this season with his exploits in defensive midfield for Monaco. Despite his young age, he has shown immense ability with his contributions in the heart of midfield.

Tchouameni could be a cheaper alternative to Rice

Chelsea are looking to bolster their midfield in the summer as the board are looking to back Thomas Tuchel in the transfer market. While interest in Rice went cold after the sacking of Lampard, it was not entirely gone. Thomas Tuchel is said to be after the West Ham midfielder.

Nonetheless, any deal for Rice could be an expensive one and that has led to Chelsea drawing contingency plans. Aurelien Tchouameni has been touted as a cheaper alternative after his performances in Ligue 1 attracting the interest of Chelsea.

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For all of Chelsea’s options in midfield, none quite match the drive and energy of N’Golo Kante. The likes of Jorginho and Kovacic cannot press well or cut opposition lines to progress the play for Chelsea. In Aurelien Tchouameni, they can get someone exactly like that. Tchouameni, at 21, could pretty much be a signing for the future and will likely not cost as much as Rice.