Chelsea’s choice to bring Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal in 2023 for €37 million may not have garnered unanimous support among Chelsea supporters, but that isn’t going to deter the Blues from exploring another transfer with the Spanish club this summer.
Thierno Barry has become a transfer target for Chelsea this summer, with the club preparing an offer of around €40 million for the French player. He joined a Spanish team just last summer after leaving FC Basel.
The Swiss contingent has built up an impressive track record for nurturing top-tier talent in football, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah serving as the most evident instance of their success. In fact, Basel transferred Salah to Chelsea back in 2013 for €16.5 million; hence, Barry might emulate the achievements of this potential Ballon d'Or contender.
Chelsea have been taken aback by Barry’s pace, power, and tenacity within the penalty area. They also think that the 22-year-old possesses considerable unexplored potential in his play, as reported by Fichajes.
Therefore, an offer valued at €40 million will be submitted to Villarrel, where the forward is reportedly "excited" about the possibility of transitioning to the Premier League.
Thierno Barry: A Repeat of Nicolas Jackson?
Chelsea supporters may approach Barry with caution due to Jackson's tendency to disappoint them as he has found difficulty in consistently converting chances effectively.
Despite this, there are grounds for optimism. According to data analytics firm SciSports, Barry was rated higher than the Senegalese forward concerning innate talent at the time he joined Chelsea. This holds true despite scoring fewer goals for Villarrel in La Liga subsequently. His statistics mirror those seen previously.
Thierno Barry versus Nicolas Jackson: Level of Expertise
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Thierno Barry
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Nicolas Jackson
Thierno Barry versus Nicolas Jackson: Statistical Profile 2024/25
Furthermore, Jackson’s market value has skyrocketed since his move to Chelsea. Currently, his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is valued at €69.9 million. Should the club manage to offload him near this price point, they would see a substantial return on their investment, allowing them to reinvest in the team, potentially covering the cost of acquiring Barry as well.
Chelsea fans may lean towards securing an experienced forward due to their team's persistent struggles in scoring goals over the past few seasons. Among those frequently mentioned as potential targets for Chelsea is Victor Osimhen.