According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are close to sealing the signing of midfielder Mathis Amougou from St Etienne. The 19-year-old will cost the club about £12 million. Last Word on Football looks at what the young Frenchman will bring to Stamford Bridge.
‘Deal Almost Done’ Chelsea to Sign Mathis Amougou
What Amougou Will Bring to Stamford Bridge
Unknown among Premier League fans, Chelsea supporters will be wondering what to expect from their latest signing. Amougou has started nine games for St Etienne in Ligue 1 this season, coming on as a sub in a further eight. He has yet to score or assist his first senior goal and is a more defensively minded midfielder.
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Amougou’s biggest strength is his ability to intercept dangerous passes by the opposition and recover loose balls. The 19-year-old averages 2.2 ball recoveries per game alongside winning two ground duels per game. The St Etienne academy graduate does need to improve his passing and aerial ability. He completes just 78% of his passes and wins just 20% of his aerial duels.
Amougou Set to Stay at Chelsea Despite Strasbourg Link
With Chelsea having such a big squad and their owners owning Strasbourg in Amougou’s native France, there were obvious rumours that the youngster would be sent on loan to Le Racing for the rest of the season. However, according to Sky Sports, the “promising” midfielder is set to stay at Stamford Bridge and join the first-team squad. He will have to be registered for the Europa Conference League but can play in the Premier League without being in Chelsea’s 25-man squad as he is under-21.
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Amougou will compete for a place in Chelsea’s midfield pivot alongside Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Roméo Lavia, and Keirnan Drewsbury-Hall. The youngster is likely to find most of his minutes in the Conference League but will see them decrease as The Blues progress in the competition.
