Chelsea wants to sign Athletic Bilbao striker Nico Williams
Chelsea are determined to press ahead in the race to sign talented 21-year-old Spanish striker Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao, according to Spanish publication Transfers.
Williams, the younger of two brothers who are tearing up Bilbao in La Liga this season, has continually been linked with an exit ahead of next season. One of the clubs that seems interested in signing the talented winger is Chelsea.
The 21-year-old has been an ever-present for Ernesto Valverde's impressive side this season, playing a vital role in their domestic cup victory. Williams has played 30 games, scoring six goals and providing 14 assists.
Transfers claims the Blues are “determined” to fend off competition to sign Williams this summer and are willing to spend £43m to complete a deal for the talented striker.
Williams is comfortable playing on both the left and right and uses his immense pace and skill to beat defenders and has a keen eye for finding the final pass. He is also good at finding the back of the net, so he would be an interesting signing for Chelsea.
Too similar to Madueke?
Although Nico Williams is a top-class talent, Chelsea must remember that they have the impressive Noni Madueke playing on the flanks. The young Englishman has done nothing wrong in the opportunities he has been given and, in fact, questions need to be asked of Mauricio Pochettino for not playing enough with Madueke this season.
Stylistically, Williams is quite similar to Madueke and also plays the same positions. While there is a certain advantage that would arise from playing with two quick wingers on each side, like Mbappé and Dembélé at PSG, Luis Enrique will be the first person to tell you that there are certain disadvantages to this approach.
In it first division Where teams have increasingly begun to close gaps, it is essential to have players who can complement each other on either wing. For example, having a Palmer on one wing and a Williams/Madueke on the other would give the Blues variety in attack.
While signing Nico Williams won't be a bad deal for Chelsea, they must be careful not to overpay for him. Depending on the games, Pochettino or the next Chelsea manager may choose to play the Spaniard and Madueke on either wing and Palmer in the middle or rotate the duo depending on the opponents.
Let's wait and see if we can close this deal in the summer.
