Chelsea continue to go nuts in the market, this time for Xavi Simons

Did you think Chelsea’s transfer activity was going to slow down when they were hit with UEFA sanctions? So did we, but it seems like Chelsea’s transfer activity slows down for nothing. According to Fabrizio Romano, they’re in talks for RB Leipzig star attacking midfielder Xavi Simons. He signed on a strange short-term deal from Paris Saint-Germain this winter for €50m + €30m in potential add-ons, and his rumoured asking price this summer is €70m (about £60m).

Simons is probably fairly well-known to our audience at this point, as he’s come up frequently in transfer rumours without ever making a move to one of the rich clubs outside Germany. In case you’re not familiar, please enjoy a sizzle reel. He’s full of flicks and tricks, but with some very good end product as well.

Simons had a bit of a downturn in production last season, alongside the rest of his Leipzig teammates. The team scored just 53 goals and failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, one year after scoring 77 and finishing 4th in the Bundesliga. As a result, Simons’ radar for 2024-25 looks a bit ordinary. But a comparison to the previous season tells you why Chelsea think he’s a £60m+ player.

There just aren’t a lot of guys who combine elite dribbling with near-elite passing and above average shooting.

The key pass maps are probably even more striking than that comparison. Simons’ open play shot assists from last season look pretty average.

But two years ago, he was one of the best playmakers in the world. I was surprised that we didn’t see a rich Premier League team or Bayern Munich make the move last season, or PSG just decide to re-integrate him into their squad.

I don’t have a lot of concerns about Simons’ lack of production last season. Leipzig’s build-up play was poor, and striker Loïs Openda had a much steeper dropoff in production than Simons. Relative to his team, he performed well. The commonly seen argument that a player with mediocre stats will raise them when he’s on a better team isn’t just cope with Simons; we have hard evidence that it’s true.

My problem — and stop me if you’ve heard this one before — is that it’s a ton of money for Chelsea to spend in an area of the pitch where they already have a ton of fees and salary committed. I’m concerned about UEFA sticking to their guns and not allowing Chelsea to register him for Champions League. I’m concerned about Chelsea running into Premier League PSR problems next summer, especially if they sell João Félix at a loss. I don’t know if there’s a huge market for Nicolas Jackson to fund this, despite selling him being the clear idea here. Basically, I am Jesse from Breaking Bad screaming “THEY CAN’T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IT.”

Xavi Simons is a very good player who is worth €70m and can help Chelsea win football matches. That doesn’t mean they should sign him. —KM

More transfer rumours

• In more Chelsea news, they’re in negotiations to buy LB/CB tweener Jorrel Hato from Ajax, and they’d like to sell Renato Veiga to fund that.

• Tottenham continue to get linked to center backs, with a fresh Marc Guehi rumour popping up today. But if Atlético Madrid have moved on to Veiga and other CB targets besides Cuti Romero, I don’t think Spurs are buying an expensive CB.

• Speaking of Spurs rumours I don’t believe, Rodrygo’s agent is yapping to AS and saying that Tottenham could be interested. Yes, the strictest wage control team in the Premier League is going to sign a guy who Arsenal and Chelsea turned down because his wage demands were too high.

• Bayern Munich seem determined to sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool, and will now offer €75m (£65m). Don’t do that. Just don’t do that! No!

• In yet another annoying setback for Newcastle, apparently Man City would like to bring James Trafford home. Is Pep Guardiola really allowing his team to sign an average passing goalkeeper??? What happened to the game I love?

• That above story also says City want £35m for James McAtee, and that a lot of teams are interested at that price. It’s a lot of money for a guy with very few pro minutes, but he’s looked outstanding in them. High risk, high potential reward.

• In better news for Newcastle, Yoane Wissa talks are progressing. Compared to some of the other deals that have been completed or rumoured this year, £30m is some pretty decent value, even if I don’t think Newcastle should be paying 8-figure fees for 28-year-olds at all.

• Everton are looking into signing Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, who I like a lot. His numbers were just OK last year, but that was the case for most of Real Sociedad, who don’t play a style very friendly to attacker stats. The left-footed right winger is a well-balanced player who offers dribbling, passing and shooting value, and I think he’d be an excellent signing for the Toffees at the rumoured £35m.

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