Transfer News: Blues Ready To Add Lyon’s Top Scorer Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette Playing for Lyon

Lyon have won 4 of their last 5 games to challenge PSG for the Ligue 1 title in what looks like a thrilling end to the season in the French top flight.

Without question, one of the key driving forces behind their challenge is their free scoring front man Alexandre Lacazette who it seems has finally come of age. Having been with Lyon’s youth academy since the age of 7 and represented France at every level from under 16’s to the full national team, he’s something of a prodigy that has stuck to his roots rather than leaving for bright lights (and to sit on the bench) at another European giant.

But now that time may have come, with growing speculation from numerous respected sites and publications, that Chelsea are showing a serious interest in bringing him to the Bridge this summer.

Only Ronaldo and Messi have scored more league goals than him this season which is an impressive feat in itself. It would likely require an impressive transfer fee, with Lyon giving him a two year contract extension in September last year, meaning his deal now runs until 2018.

With interest and rumours gathering momentum, we thought it only right that we look more closely at our potential new summer signing.

Alexndra Lacazette Stats for Lyon 2014/15 (All Competitions):

Appearances: 38
Goals: 31
Assists: 6

Given that Chelsea would be buying Lacazette for goals, let’s dig a little into the type of striker we’d be able to expect. This season in Ligue 1 he has averaged 0.9 goals per game which can be broken down further:

Goals inside the 6 yard box: 2
Goals inside the penalty area: 21 (8 penalties)
Goals from outside the penalty area: 4

Getting specific, Lacazette has scored 24 of his 27 goals in Ligue 1 with his right foot, which either makes his right foot sound unstoppable or his aerial ability and left foot worrying unreliable.

The conclusion though is obvious and not all too surprising, the stats tell a story of a player that is lethal inside the box with the ball on the deck and will shift it to his favoured foot to get his shots off.

That same story sounds very similar to a player that is already plying his trade with Chelsea. Loic Remy.

What Does It Mean For Remy?
I know many Chelsea fans are fond of his short time at the Bridge so far, predominantly because he doesn’t seem fazed by the big stage and genuinly looks a goal threat when he’s on the pitch. But getting him on the pitch has been a problem.

Playing second fiddle to Diego Costa, injuries have often hampered his chances during his first campaign. Which is something of a problem for Jose. It’s no secret that we’ve been pretty paper thin up front particularly at the climax to the season and having two of three key strikers injured at key times just isn’t sustainable.

I’m convinced that if we’d progressed in both the FA Cup and Champions League then our league form would have suffered and there’s no way we’d be celebrating the title being wrapped up so early.

Which leaves a big question mark over Remy’s head. Rumours persist that Lacazette coming in would mean Remy departing, either in a trade of some sort with Lyon or to another European destination altogether.

For me, I’d keep Remy and add Lacazette with Drogba signing on for another year who would happily be our 4th choice striker. That would genuinely give us firepower to make an assault on all fronts.

We’ll update this story as and when news breaks.