Chelsea are reportedly nearing a deal to sign Moroccan international right-winger Gessime Yassine from French Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg. The significant development comes from Christophe Lollichon, Chelsea’s former goalkeeping coach, who indicated that the Premier League club has ‘practically’ secured the 20-year-old’s services.
Yassine, a promising talent, joined Strasbourg from Ligue 2 side Dunkerque earlier this year in a €7 million transfer. Since his move, the right-winger has made 25 appearances for Strasbourg, contributing with two goals and three assists. His performances have caught the eye, notably a Man of the Match display against Dino Toppmöller’s RC Lens in August.
Lollichon’s Insight and BlueCo’s Strategy
Christophe Lollichon, who now serves as the goalkeeping coach at Dunkerque, shared his insights during an interview where he discussed his current club’s ability to unearth young talents. It was in this context that he mentioned Yassine’s impending move to Stamford Bridge, highlighting the player’s rapid progression since leaving Dunkerque.
The potential transfer of Yassine aligns with the strategic relationship between Chelsea and RC Strasbourg, both of which are owned by the BlueCo consortium. This ownership structure facilitates player movement between the two clubs, allowing Chelsea to monitor and integrate promising talents from their sister club. Should the deal materialise, Yassine would not be the first Strasbourg player to make the switch to Chelsea, following in the footsteps of players like Valentin Barco, Mamadou Sarr, and Emmanuel Emegha.
For Chelsea, the acquisition of Yassine would represent a continued investment in young, international talent, potentially bolstering their attacking options for the future. For Yassine, it would mark a significant step in his career, moving from Ligue 1 to the competitive landscape of the Premier League.