Chelsea given incentive to sign wonderkid 'better than Bukayo Saka' despite Noni Madueke message

Chelsea have been given a major incentive to revisit a move for Rayan Cherki in the January transfer window – despite Noni Madueke's masterclass for the England Under-21s on Thursday night. The Olympique Lyonnais star was heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge in the summer, with Mauricio Pochettino eager to further bolster his frontline.

football.london understands that the Blues boss wanted to sign somebody who can play as both as right-winger and as an attacking midfielder – so Michael Olise was identified as a primary target. It's said that Chelsea were once confident of securing the 21-year-old's signature, verbally agreeing personal terms before proceeding to pay his release clause.

However, a deal collapsed after he committed his long-term future to Crystal Palace instead. The west Londoners quickly turned their attention to Cole Palmer on deadline day – but it's thought that Cherki was once considered as a potential option earlier in the window.

In fact, Chelsea sent scouts to watch the Lyon playmaker on several occasions last season, where they also monitored the progress of Malo Gusto, who was signed in January. While the French outfit have suffered a dreadful start to the Ligue 1 campaign, Cherki has continued to showcase his class.

According to data from Opta, via FBRef and collected using WorldfootballR by @JaseZiv on X, the Frenchman is one of the most effective creators in Europe's top-five leagues aged under 25. As pictured below, Cherki averages more progressive carries and creates more shot-creating action from open play than the likes of Bukayo Saka, Rodrygo and Phil Foden.

While Cherki would be a welcomed addition to Pochettino's squad, Madueke would certainly have something to say. The