Chelsea given a transfer window boost thanks to Neymar
According to Football London, The Brazilian was at his imperious best against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday, scoring twice and ensuring there wasn’t to be another European humbling for the Ligue 1 giants.
It wasn’t a display that could stack up – numbers-wise at least – to Giroud’s. The Frenchman scored four times against Sevilla: a perfect hat-trick plus a penalty which he earned. Yet by inspiring PSG to victory against United, Neymar may have started a domino effect that ends in Chelsea being handed an advantage in the January transfer window.
Paris Saint-Germain will now almost certainly top Group H, and that will leave Manchester United and RB Leipzig to scrap it out for second spot. The two sides meet next week, it’s a straight shootout.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side must avoid defeat. Do that, they progress. And at the same time, they would knock the Bundesliga club into the Europa League.
That would result in a financial hit for Leipzig. Sides that fail to reach the Champions League Round of 16 miss out on around £8.56 million worth of prize money in addition to a greater share of the broadcast revenue. While perhaps not a significant amount for the very top European sides, given the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s a significant loss of income for the German club, even if they are bankrolled by an energy drinks company.
If this scenario plays out, Chelsea can look to take advantage when the January transfer window opens in a little under a month’s time. The Blues have, according to several reports, long considered a move for Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano, who has blossomed into one of the finest young defenders in Europe and has a host of clubs chasing his signature.
There is a key reason for this aside from his obvious ability: next summer a £38 million release clause in his contract will become active. It is a bargain fee for a France international with more than 150 senior club appearances to his name.
Chelsea’s defensive improvement this season has been laudable; the Blues have kept nine clean sheets in their last 13 matches in all competitions. Edouard Mendy has played a huge part in this, as has Thiago Silva.
The Brazilian, barring one mistake against West Bromwich Albion on debut, has been flawless in the heart of the Blues’ defence. But at 36 years old, he is not a long-term option for Frank Lampard.
Hence the interest in Upamecano. At 22 years old, the centre-back could become a mainstay of the Chelsea defence for years to come. Comfortable on the ball – it’s a common sight to see the defender move forward in midfield – he is also strong in the air and quick across the ground. He is, in essence, perfectly suited to the Premier League and the style of football Lampard has implemented at Stamford Bridge. So if Leipzig are dumped into the Europa League next week, the Blues must make their move in January.
The two clubs reportedly have a good relationship following the transfer of Timo Werner in the summer, so striking a deal, while difficult, should not be an insurmountable task.
And that Chelsea can offer the defender Champions League football and, as things stand, a Premier League title tilt should also make them an enticing option.
It may require a fee slightly in excess of Upamecano’s £38 million release clause to convince Leipzig to sell, but that may be a price worth paying to get to the front of the queue.
So while Giroud’s four-goal salvo will live long in the memory of Chelsea fans, it may be that Neymar’s display at Old Trafford has a greater long-term impact for the Blues. Only time will tell.