Five key facts Chelsea fans need to know about Elye Wahi

 

In Chelsea's pursuit of a new striker, the Blues have reportedly turned their attention to Montpellier youngster Elye Wahi. The 20-year-old netted 19 times in Ligue 1 last season as Montpellier finished 12th in France's top tier. Even with the additions of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson from RB Leipzig and Villarreal, respectively, the west London side are seeking further attacking reinforcements and despite reports linking them with moves for Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic and Folarin Balogun, Chelsea have supposedly lodged a bid for Wahi. 

 

Here we take a look at five key facts about the Frenchman to whet Chelsea fans' appetite. 

 

He's know where the back of the net is 

 

Chelsea scored just 38 league goals last season, fewer than relegated pair Leicester and Leeds, so attacking reinforcements are necessary. The Blues have moved to correct these issues, but Wahi has since emerged as a target for Mauricio Pochettino's side. Not only did he net 19 times, the seventh most in Ligue 1, but when presented with the chance to go for goal, Wahi was consistent in beating the opposition goalkeeper. 

 

Of the 127 players to manage 25 or more shots, only Neymar (34.2%) had a better conversion rate than Wahi (30.2%) in Ligue 1 last season to reinforce a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'finishing'. Given Jackson had the best conversion rate in La Liga last season (29.3%), Chelsea seem keen on sweeping up Europe's best finishers. 

 

 

He'd offer Chelsea an alternative route to goal 

 

To go with Chelsea's goal woes, they struggled to get on the end of crosses as an alternative route to goal. Indeed, only Wolves (2) and Leicester (3) scored fewer headed goals than the Blues (5) in the Premier League last season, resulting in just a 6.4% headed chance conversion rate. 

 

By comparison, Wahi's three headed goals scored was the seventh most in France's top tier last term, to reinforce a WhoScored strength of 'headed attempts'. With Chelsea expected to start in a 4-2-3-1 setup under Pochettino next season and the full-backs - Reece James and Ben Chilwell when fit - set to provide width down the flanks, the balls the English pair put into the box will benefit Wahi. 

 

Chelsea will have a counter-attacking threat on the books 

 

No team scored fewer counter-attacking goals than Chelsea (1) in the Premier League last season, and that was a consolation strike by Joao Felix in their 4-1 loss at Manchester United in their penultimate game of the campaign. With the players on the books at Stamford Bridge, that number should be higher. 

 

Wahi will add another counter-attacking threat to the ranks in west London were he to move to Chelsea this summer. While he scored just one goal on the counter attack last season, the Frenchman has developed a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of 'counter attack threat', which would serve as a boost for the Blues. 

 

Wahi's not afraid to ruffle some feathers 

 

Not only is Wahi capable of putting the ball in the back of the net, he isn't afraid to get under the skin of opponents. Wahi committed an average of 1.1 fouls per 90 in Ligue 1 last season, and was yellow carded eight times in France's top tier. Defenders don't enjoy a routine 90 minutes when up against the Montpellier man, that's for sure! 

 

He played his part in one of Ligue 1's most thrilling encounters 

 

In early May, Lyon hosted Montpellier in a fairly run of the mill Sunday meeting in France's top tier. However, fans bore witness to one of the most entertaining games in Ligue 1 last season. Lacazette put Lyon 1-0 up on the half hour mark at the Groupama Stadium, only for Montpellier to strike twice in quick succession before the break. 

 

La Paillade netted twice more shortly after the break to go 4-1 up in Lyon, with Wahi scoring all four Montpellier goals. L'OL battled back to ultimately secure a 5-4 win with Lacazette, like Wahi, hitting the back of the net four times in what was, without doubt, one of the games of the season, not just in France, but Europe as a whole.

Five key facts Chelsea fans need to know about Elye Wahi