Chelsea is gearing up for what could be a transformative summer transfer window as they aim to reshape their squad under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine manager faces the challenge of identifying the right additions and striking a balance between youth and experience to maximize the team’s progress in the upcoming season. One player who has been suggested as a potential midfield reinforcement for Chelsea is Gabri Veiga. He is a talented young prospect from Celta Vigo.
According to The Guardian, Chelsea has entered the race to sign Gabri Veiga as a replacement for Kai Havertz. As Havertz has expressed his desire to leave the club. Pochettino is reportedly prioritizing midfield additions, but faces competition from Barcelona and Liverpool for the signature of the 21-year-old midfielder. Veiga’s current contract includes a modest €40 million (£34 million) buyout clause, making him an attractive option with immense potential.
With the potential departures of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Mason Mount. And so Chelsea’s midfield could undergo significant changes in the upcoming transfer window. Signing the promising Spanish midfielder Veiga would be a fantastic start to Pochettino’s new era at the club. Veiga might be able to make the same impact Juan Mata had during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Is Veiga similar to Mata?
Juan Mata may have spent only two and a half seasons at Chelsea, but his influence was undeniable. In the crucial stages of the 2011/12 season, Mata was instrumental in Chelsea’s FA Cup final victory over Liverpool. Also, he provided the assist for Didier Drogba’s famous equalizer in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Moreover, mata’s consistent performances and contribution of 28 goal involvements in his second campaign earned him back-to-back Chelsea Player of the Year awards.
Gabri Veiga has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Mata by making the switch from La Liga to the Premier League. Despite playing for a struggling Celta Vigo side, Veiga showcased his talent by scoring twice in a crucial victory over Barcelona. The two goals helped his team avoid relegation by a narrow margin. Moreover, the statistical analysis reveals that Veiga ranks highly among his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues. In attributes like progressive carries, successful take-ons, and touches in the attacking penalty area. These impressive numbers highlight his similarities to Mata, and he concluded the season with 15 goal involvements.
Football Scout Jacek Kulig describes Veiga as “amazing”. And Chelsea should act swiftly to secure the services of this generational talent. Given his potential and the reasonable price tag, acquiring Veiga could prove to be one of Todd Boehly’s shrewdest purchases. Furthermore, with his creativity and playmaking abilities, Veiga could emerge as the next Juan Mata for Chelsea, making a significant impact in the Premier League.
