There are just two games left for Chelsea in 2025 before the transfer window reopens.
Enzo Maresca’s side had a relatively busy summer window, but even so, with their injury list growing and there being so much to play for, the Blues are seemingly intent on doing more business.
Fans might point to the backline as an area of need, and they would be right, but the club are also seemingly intent on adding to forward areas.
One name that was heavily linked with Chelsea for a few hours earlier this week was Antoine Semenyo, and while he would be an excellent signing for the club, they’re now being linked with someone even better.
Chelsea target Semenyo upgrade
Over the last few weeks, it has felt like practically every ‘big six’ team has been linked with Semenyo, including Chelsea.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, it was revealed on Tuesday evening that the Bournemouth star had chosen Manchester City as his next destination, and that the West Londoners had ended their interest.
Now, the Ghanaian international would certainly have improved Maresca’s squad, but fans need not worry, as the club is now looking at someone who’d be an even better signing.
At least that is according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, which claims Chelsea are still very interested in Kenan Yıldız.
The report has revealed that the Turkish wonderkid will finally receive clarity on the status of a new deal with Juventus at the end of the year, and that, should the Old Lady fail to meet his £5m-per-year demands, he’ll be available on the market.
It’s not just Chelsea who are interested in the youngster, though, as the report has also named Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal as keen parties.
A potential price is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier in the year claimed that a fee of around £88m could tempt Juve into selling.
In all, it looks set to be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Yıldız’s ability and potential, one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he’d be a Semenyo upgrade.
How Yıldız compares to Semenyo
So, when comparing two attacking players who are as positionally versatile as each other, the first place to start has to be their output over the last couple of seasons.
Last season, Semenyo scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 3562 minutes of football, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 178.1 minutes.
Yıldız, on the other hand, scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in just 3520 minutes, meaning he maintained an even better average of a goal involvement every 167.61 minutes.
However, so far this season, the Bournemouth star has produced 11 goal involvements in 1485 minutes, while the Juve star has produced 12 in 1796 minutes.
In other words, the Turkish star, whose manager, Vincenzo Montella, has dubbed “one of Europe’s brightest talents”, came out better last season and, as things stand, the Ghanaian international has been that little bit more clinical this season.
So, with the pair pretty even when it comes to raw output, the next best differentiator has to be their underlying numbers.
Subscribe to the newsletter for transfer deep dives Get sharper transfer insight by subscribing to the newsletter: data-led breakdowns, player comparisons, scouting context and underlying metrics on targets like Kenan Yıldız vs Antoine Semenyo. Deep transfer coverage you can read and rely on. Subscribe to the newsletter for transfer deep dives Get sharper transfer insight by subscribing to the newsletter: data-led breakdowns, player comparisons, scouting context and underlying metrics on targets like Kenan Yıldız vs Antoine Semenyo. Deep transfer coverage you can read and rely on.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Interestingly, this is an area where the Regensburg-born gem comes out looking far better, as he outperforms his competitor in almost every key metric, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, key passes, goal and shot-creating actions, passes into the penalty area, and more, all per 90.
Yıldız vs Semenyo
Statistics per 90
Yıldız
Semenyo
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.49
0.37
Progressive Passes
3.81
3.56
Progressive Carries
4.82
3.69
Shots
2.53
2.25
Passing Accuracy
76.7%
70.3%
Key Passes
2.45
1.44
Passes into the Final Third
1.87
1.13
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.73
1.50
Crosses into the Penalty Area
0.43
0.19
Shot-Creating Actions
4.76
3.50
Goal-Creating Actions
0.58
0.44
Successful Take-Ons
1.44
1.56
All Stats via FBref for the 25/26 PL Season
Finally, on top of having the vastly superior underlying numbers, the Juve gem also has age on his side.
In other words, if the “Mbappe-like” gem, as dubbed by writer Danny Corcoran, is already playing better than the Cherries star before he’s even 21, just imagine the sort of player he could be when he hits his peak.
Ultimately, Semenyo would be a great signing for Chelsea, but given the underlying data, his age, and the fact that he’s already played at the highest level, it’s clear that Yıldız would be a better one.
Another Cole Palmer: Chelsea make £100m "machine" their dream target
The game-changing talent could be another Cole Palmer-like signing for Chelsea.
ByJack Salveson Holmes