He’s better than Joao Pedro: Chelsea line up move to sign “the next Mbappe”

Chelsea fans have become used to constant managerial changes over the last few seasons, with Xabi Alonso the latest manager to try and end the club’s title drought.

The Spaniard will take over at Stamford Bridge on the 1st of June, after penning a four-year deal in West London following the sacking of Liam Rosenior.

The 44-year-old will certainly need time to implement his own stamp on the senior squad, who have now gone nearly a decade without a top-flight title.

BlueCo have constantly showcased their ability to spend big in the transfer market – subsequently splashing over £1.7b on new additions since the summer of 2022.

However, they will need to get the chequebook out once again this summer as the new manager will certainly want to make changes to his squad to aid his chances of immediate and long-term success.

Chelsea ramp up move to sign £100m star this summer

Over the last couple of days, Chelsea have been touted with a move for a whole host of big-money talents ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Valentin Barco is one player who looks certain to make a move to Stamford Bridge, after the Argentine midfielder posted a goodbye message to Strasbourg fans.

The youngster has reportedly agreed a six-year deal with Alonso’s side, but no transfer fee has yet been confirmed ahead of the pending switch to West London.

Barco certainly won’t be the last player to move to the Blues this summer, with Bournemouth talisman Eli Kroupi Junior also emerging as a potential signing.

According to the Mail Online, Chelsea are lining up a potential deal to land the Frenchman who’s netted 13 goals during his debut season in the Premier League.

The report also states that Arsenal are another side keen on the 19-year-old, but any deal could cost any of the interested party a pretty penny this window.

It’s been claimed that the Cherries are not wanting to offload the youngster at present, with previous reports noting they wouldn’t consider selling for anything less than £100m.

Why Kroupi would be an upgrade on Joao Pedro for Chelsea

Only last summer Chelsea completed an overhaul of the centre-forward position, with Joao Pedro moving to Stamford Bridge from Brighton & Hove Albion for £60m.

The Brazilian was tasked with leading the line for the Blues this campaign, something which he’s managed to do – as seen by his impressive goalscoring tally.

He’s currently sitting on 15 goals in the Premier League this season – the most of any player in the Chelsea squad, with only three players in the division scoring more.

Pedro’s hat-trick against Aston Villa back in March has undoubtedly been the standout moment of his career in West London – but he could find consistent minutes hard to come by next term.

A move for Kroupi could see added competition for the starting striker role, with the youngster a player who can nail down the number nine position for May years to come.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the 2025/26 campaign, the Cherries talisman has managed to outperform the Brazilian in numerous key areas.

Kroupi, who’s been dubbed the “next Mbappe” by GOAL, may have scored fewer goals to date, but he’s posted a better minute per goal ratio than the Blues attacker this term.

He’s also registered a better shot on target accuracy rate, subsequently demonstrating his ability to make the most of the chances and the clinical nature he possesses.

The Frenchman’s tally of 1.2 shots on target per 90 – a tally also higher than Pedro’s – ranks him in the top 5% of attackers in the Premier League this campaign.

Like the aforementioned tallies, such a number highlights his threat in the final third, with the youngster only going to develop further with added experience in England’s top-flight.

A move for the Cherries star would undoubtedly hand Alonso the added firepower he craves after recently agreeing to take over as manager at Stamford Bridge.

£100m would be one of the club’s biggest-ever signings, but it would secure them a talent who could thrive domestically and continentally for the entirety of the Spaniard’s reign.

Replacing Pedro with Kroupi over the summer could prove to be a bold call – but it’s those type of decisions that will help the club mount a push for title glory under the new management team.