Exclusive: Chelsea owners eye 'stratospheric' midfielder who idolises N'Golo Kante, Strasbourg move most likely
10/09/2024 10:45 AM
BlueCo are keeping tabs on Hellas Verona midfielder Reda Belahyane but a move to Strasbourg is viewed as more likely than Premier League giants Chelsea at this stage.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
After a difficult 2023/24 season in which Strasbourg flirted with relegation – former Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira paying with his job – an influx of talented young players on loan from Chelsea became a source of much consternation amongst the Alsace locals.
But with those Stamford Bridge loanees making a far more positive impression at the start of the new campaign, the frustration is turning to optimism across the Channel.
Strasbourg, one of a number of clubs under the umbrella of Todd Boehly and Clearlake’s BlueCo consortium, are currently flying high in seventh place in Ligue 1.
And TBR understands that Reda Belahyane, who currently plies his trade in Italy with Hellas Verona, could be the latest player snapped up by BlueCo.
Chelsea owners could buy Hellas Verona’s Reda Belahyane
Of the current Strasbourg loanees, goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and midfielder Andrey Santos have started the season in real style.
Chelsea reportedly beat Liverpool to Andrey Santos back in 2023. And, after an ill-fated spell at Nottingham Forest, he is finally showcasing his talent with three goals and an assist in his six matches.
Caleb Wiley nailed down the left-back spot before picking up a knee injury, too, while Diego Moreira has made quite an impression too after leaving Chelsea on a permanent basis.
Belahyane, TBR have been told, could be the latest young talent to end up at Strasbourg thanks in part to those Chelsea connections.
Only 20 years of age and a former France Under 18 international, Belahyane earned his first call up for the senior Morocco side this month. That came as a reward for a series of excellent displays at the base of Hellas Verona’s midfield.
Belahyane has played all but 21 minutes of the current Serie A campaign.
“Belahyane is a stratospheric player in the brain and soul,” Hellas Verona coach Paolo Zanetti said after the youngster caught the eye again in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Venezia.
“I don’t want to praise him too much but he is a boy who is 20 years old and has an incredible margin [for improvement]. I have seen few young players like him.”
Belahyane idolises Chelsea legend N’Golo Kante
An extremely confident footballer in possession, Belahyane is very much a modern ‘number six’. He loves to receive the ball under pressure and keep the play ticking over, while an average of nearly two successful tackles per game and a return of three yellow cards highlights a tenacious side.
Davide Pellegrini, the former Hellas player, sees similarities between Belahyane and Napoli playmaker Stanislav Lobotka.
And, in comments that will intrigue Chelsea supporters, Belahyane has been open about his admiration for Stamford Bridge and France legend N’Golo Kante.
“My role model, who sets an example both on and off the pitch, is N’Golo Kante,” Belahyane told L’Arena recently.
“I really like his team spirit. Even off the pitch, he is always calm. But when he goes on the pitch, he is aggressive. He has been my role model since I was a child.”
TBR understands that, while BlueCo may look to sign Belahyane in 2025, the likelihood is that he will end up at Strasbourg rather than Chelsea. But, given the connections between both clubs, a move to Alsace would open the door for Belahyane to follow in the footsteps of his idol Kante later down the line.
Kante is still going strong in Saudi Arabia amid recent West Ham United links, meanwhile, with his 34th birthday only a few months away.
