Incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is all set to make Juventus’s Kwadwo Asamoah his first signing for the Blues, according to various reports from the Italian media.
The current Italian national team head coach is said to be looking to revamp the Chelsea squad, where he will takeover as manager after the Euros, in the upcoming summer transfer window. The club have performed well below their expectations this season, managing to finish only 10th in the Premier League.
Conte is said to have identified midfield as one of the key areas that he needs to improve, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic disappointing with their performances, after a great outing in the 2014/15 season.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is also said to be willing to spend up to £20 million in order to sign Asamoah, according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport [via Daily Express].
Another report on Italian news outlet Calciomercato suggests that both Chelsea and Juventus have reached a verbal agreement about Asamoah’s transfer.
Incidentally, Conte was the one who had brought Asamoah to Juventus from Udinese in 2012, and now reportedly wants a reunion with the Ghanaian international.
Asamoah is versatile player who can play in the midfield, on the wings, and also in the fullback positions. The 27 year old will be a great value addition to the Chelsea squad due to his versatility. However, Chelsea have a number of midfielders and fullbacks, which will make it interesting to see where Asamoah fits into the Blues squad.
Is Asamoah fit for the Premier League?
There is a vast difference between Italian and English football. While it is all about pace and physicality in England, the Italian game is more tactically thought out, and slower in nature.
Asamoah is a player who is known to have a lot of pace, but that has come at a bit of a price for the Ghana international. He has failed to cement a regular spot in the team in this season due to a recurring chronic knee injury, making just 13 appearances in all competitions this campaign.
The Premier League is known to be much more brutal on a player’s body due to it’s physicality, which raises the question as to whether the signing of Asamoah will be a feasible one for the blues.
