Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has praised his new signing Bradley Barcola, who Chelsea considered signing in the summer.
Bradley Barcola started in PSG’s 4-0 win against Marseille yesterday and is a player who Enrique is really enjoying working with right now.
As relayed by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the PSG boss said: “He’s top. I love all his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s. It’s wonderful to coach a player like that.”
Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
According to Romano, Chelsea spoke to Lyon about signing Barcola, but the winger went on to join their Ligue 1 rivals in the end.
While the Blues did not sign Barcola, they were still able to strengthen their attack after landing Cole Palmer on deadline day.
Bradley Barcola not what Chelsea needed
While it is clear that Barcola, who cost PSG €45m (£39m), is a talented player, the 21-year-old probably did not need to be a priority for Chelsea.
The Blues have Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, two young wingers who are also developing.
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
What the Blues should have gone out and got was a more experienced wide man or a proven No.9, someone who would have come in and scored goals for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
It has been a real problem for them this season, with the team failing to score yet again in their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa yesterday.
Of course, Chelsea went on to sign another young attacking player anyway in Palmer. But having lost Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, they perhaps needed a new No.10, something that Barcola is not.
Chelsea are signing footballers for the future, but it is a risk having too many, with their young squad really struggling at the moment.
