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Chelsea have reportedly agreed a £35million deal to bring 22-year-old Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko to the club in the summer and Chelsea fans are reacting on social media to the news
Bakayoko has been one of many impressive players in the Monaco team this year and according to TuttoMercatoWeb, he is ready to put pen to paper on a five-year deal after Chelsea and Monaco agreed a fee. Arsenal and Manchester United are amongst others clubs to be linked with a move for the midfielder, so Conte may still have work to do if he is to lure Bakayoko to the club.
Chelsea fans must be excited to see Antonio Conte already planning ahead in the transfer market, even with his side cruising to the Premier League title. Bakayoko would provide competition for places in central midfield, with the energetic midfielder likely to partner N’Golo Kante in what would be a fantastic midfield partnership. Bakayoko’s arrival would give Chelsea all sorts of options, with Cesc Fabregas more than likely to move on should this deal be completed.
Here’s some of the reaction on Twitter to the news that a deal for Bakayoko has been agreed.
I think Tiemoue Bakayoko will be a perfect partner for Kanté in midfield typical Central Midfielder player in 343 formation. Thoughts? #CFC
— The Blues (@LondonIsBlue12) March 20, 2017
Why would Chelsea even want Bakayoko
Isnt Kante 3 players ?
— kenna (@kennagq) March 21, 2017
The thought of having both Kante and Bakayoko is too exciting… Conte looks to be doing exactly he did at Juve, build a solid midfield.
— Feroze Ali (@feroze17) March 21, 2017
Kante & Bakayoko in midfield.. Good luck getting past that.
— ㅤ (@HazardEdition) March 21, 2017
So Bakayoko to Chelsea..Missed Out there..can see Matic Surplus to Requirements and may rejoin José @ManUtd
— Kully Nijjar (@Erm_Kully) March 26, 2017
However there have been some concerns over the duo of Kante and Bakayoko and their technical limitations…
Bakayoko and Kante chasing their touch around Stamford Bridge HAHA Eden must be in tears
— ㅤ (@ffsharry) March 26, 2017
In my opinion, Bakayoko is a great player and with him in the squad, Chelsea will be an even stronger force than we’ve seen this season. Kante has perhaps been the best player in the team this season, but next season they cannot afford to rely on him as much, and Bakayoko, whilst not being the same in style, has stamina in abundance and would be able to fill the energy void if Kante were to pick up an injury.
Bakayoko is a box-to-box player that has thrived playing alongside the defensive-minded Fabinho at Monaco. Chelsea would be even harder to break down if he were to partner Kante in the heart of midfield. Bakayoko would bring something to the Chelsea midfield that I don’t believe they have currently, someone who can dribble with the ball through the middle and use their physical advantage to transition the ball from defence into attack.
I get the argument that neither Bakayoko more Kante are the most technically gifted, but that should not be an issue with the right players around him. I also think Conte needs to keep Fabregas, or bring in a creative central midfielder as an alternative option when the game requires it.
