Chelsea’s summer transfer window of 2022 is turning out to be a rather confusing one for both fans and pundits alike. The Blues have so far signed the likes of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli and Marc Cucurella from Brighton when it comes to senior team acquisition. In terms of keeping Chelsea’s future in safe hands, the Stamford Bridge outfit have signed Gabriel Slonina, Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa, Omari Hutchinson and most recently Cesare Casadei from Inter Milan.
A mixed start to the season, but here’s why Koulibaly is the perfect fit for Chelsea!
If multiple reports are to be believed, Todd Boehly has put Arsen Zakharyan next on his transfer wishlist of young prodigies in football around Europe. The agent of the young Russian recently confirmed that the midfielder will be moving to Chelsea after all parties agreed to a move being completed. Personal terms have also been agreed between the player and Chelsea, who will soon be unveiled at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have submitted €15m bid for Dinamo Moscow talent Arsen Zakharyan, player's agent Pavel Andreev tells RB Sport: "It's true. The agreement is close". 🔵 #CFC
Chelsea already invested almost £40 in Chukwuemeka [2003], Casadei [2003], Hutchinson [2003] and Slonina [2004]. pic.twitter.com/VEqFhruf5A
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 26, 2022
So who’s the unknown quantity that Thomas Tuchel and Todd Boehly have been chasing? FootTheBall has got all you need to know about him.
Who is Arsen Zakharyan?
Arsen Zakharyan is a 19-year-old Russian midfielder of Armenian descent. He was born in Samara, Russia and is already considered among the best young talents around Europe. The Russian international already has 4 caps to his name even though given he is just 19, which goes to say the talent he possesses.
Earlier on in his career, Zakharyan was promised that he would be signed by Zenit without any trials only for the club to back out in the end moment. Zakharyan’s father, Norayr told,
“They [St Petersburg] told us that he would be signed without trials, but that turned out to be false. The whole story dragged on and on, and in the end they just let him go.
“It was probably for the best. That negative experience made Arsen stronger.”
Arsen Zakharyan stats
The Dynamo Moscow attacking midfielder played 34 times last season for the Russian outfit providing 9 goals and 9 assists. The 6’0 ft wide midfielder took 2.89 shots per 90 in the 2021/22 season, while also registering 2.49 key passes per 90.
The Russian international also had an xG of 4.54 in the league which is good considering he ended up with 7 league goals. In terms of supplying his teammates, Zakharyan had an xA of 5.54. The stats clearly send the statement that Zakharyan is ready for the Premier League, both in terms of physique and skills.
Arsen Zakharyan – The New Jewel of Chelsea ?
— Nav (@USFComps) August 25, 2022
Skills and style of play
The Russian-born player is primarily a central midfielder who played through the middle of the park for the majority of last season. Although this season, Dynamo Moscow’s manager has mainly been utilising the player on either flank, which goes to say so much about his versatility.
Like many excellent dribblers of the ball, Zakharyan too has got great close control of the ball. And considering the big frame the Russian carries, he is as good as anyone in his age bracket in terms of dribbling and ball progression. This helps him drive forward with the ball and get past his opposition defenders with ease. Since he has been mainly used out wide this season, he likes to cut in with his favoured right foot and try his luck from distance, irrespective of the position he is deployed at.
His physical stature and the physical nature of the game also make him a suitable candidate for the Premier League. The Dynamo Moscow attacker is also not shy of making runs or even late runs into the opposition penalty box to get on the end of a cross. If a move materialises between Chelsea and Dynamo Moscow, Zakharyan would enjoy the prospect of being on the end of crosses supplied by the likes of Reece James, Ben Chilwell and new summer signing Marc Cucurella.
Arsen Zakharyan – Chelsea transfer news
The 19-year-old’s agent Pavel Andreev revealed that a £12.6million transfer is close to being completed for Arsen Zakharyan, who will soon be announced as a Chelsea player. The Blues activated the Russian’s release clause after they learned that he is available on a cheap.
Boehly and Chelsea have their targets clear when it comes to young talent. It is the transfer targets for the senior squad where the Blues are struggling, with not many options available to them. Although, the amount of top-flight experience Arsen Zakharyan brings with him to Chelsea at the age of just 19, Thomas Tuchel might consider him not sending out on loan and instead include him in the first-team squad