The upcoming season promises to be significant for Chelsea.
Under Enzo Maresca, the team is transitioning from a difficult year where they still managed to qualify for the Champions League, win the Conference League, and are currently in the Club World Cup quarter-finals.
Consequently, expectations for the next Premier League season are notably high.
Fortunately, the club`s management is actively supporting the squad through transfers. Having already signed Joao Pedro, they seem to be pursuing a player who could mirror the profile of Martin Zubimendi.
Chelsea target their own Zubimendi
Chelsea`s summer transfer window has already been very busy.
Prior to their Club World Cup participation, the Blues completed deals for promising young players such as Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr, along with the promising Liam Delap, who has already scored for the team in the USA.
Nevertheless, the most notable signing for the Pensioners to date is Pedro, whose £60m transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion was finalised recently, following a season where he contributed to 17 goals in 30 games for the Seagulls.
However, despite this level of activity being sufficient for many clubs, the West London side is far from finished and is reportedly now targeting a skilled midfielder potentially comparable to Zubimendi.
Specific reports indicate that Chelsea have shown significant interest in Marc Casado.
Furthermore, it is claimed that the Blues have already tabled an offer of approximately €40m (£34m) for the 21-year-old midfielder.
However, Chelsea face competition, as Napoli, Liverpool, and Bayer Leverkusen are also reported to have made comparable bids.
Securing this transfer might be complex, but given Casado`s talent and future potential, he is seen as a worthwhile target, particularly as he could become Chelsea`s equivalent to Zubimendi.
Why Casado could be Chelsea`s Zubimendi
Several factors contribute to the comparison between Casado and Zubimendi, starting with the nature of the potential transfer itself.
Like the player expected to join Arsenal, Casado would also be making a move from a prominent La Liga club to a `big six` side based in London.
Furthermore, both players are Spanish internationals. The 26-year-old Zubimendi has earned 19 senior caps, while the 21-year-old Casado, a talent from Barcelona, already has two caps to his name.
The similarities extend beyond that, as the sought-after young player, much like his older countryman, can operate in central midfield if required but is significantly more comfortable and effective primarily as a defensive midfielder.
However, his defensive capabilities don`t preclude him from contributing to build-up play. Similar to the former Real Sociedad player, he possesses excellent passing ability and is described as someone who `always wants to make the progressive passes`.
