Five reasons for Chelsea fans to believe the hype in £39.8million signing Tiemoue Bakayoko

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In huge news for Chelsea, French outlet RMC Sport report that Chelsea have agreed a £39.8 million deal to take Tiemoue Bakayoko to Stamford Bridge with the midfielder preparing to take a medical in London on Friday, meaning a deal could even be announced this weekend.

So what do Chelsea fans have to look forward to in the coming season and years to come from the French international?

He makes as many interceptions as N’Golo Kante

One of the key aspects of N’Golo Kante’s game has been his ability to read the game and intercept passes, something that he has received huge praise for since moving to Chelsea. Last season, he averaged 2.4 interceptions per game, exactly the same average as Bakayoko at Monaco. Only two players broke up more attacks than Bakayoko, who did so 95 times, in last year’s Champions League campaign.

He provides a strong aerial presence

At only 185cm (6ft1in), he is not a particularly tall player, but the Frenchman uses his strength and physical frame to stamp his authority on any aerial battles. A great example would be his headed goal against Manchester City in the Champions League, powering his bullet header past Claudio Bravo.

He’s good on the ball too, with more completed passes than any other Monaco player

With 365 of his 425 attempted passes finding their target last season, he led the way within the ranks of the Ligue 1 champions. That is no mean feat and he will be looking to replicate such stats when he is in west London. Such creativity from deep is vital to Antonio Conte’s game plan with wingers making runs for him to pick out.

Didier Deschamps described him as “a fairly complete midfielder”

The London Evening Standard are among the sources to quote the praise from the French national team boss of Bakayoko. Given his debut against Spain in March, the 22-year-old has limited experience on the international stage but he still has plenty of time ahead of him in his career and huge potential.

He scores goals when they matter

Undoubtedly an area where he can improve given that Bakayoko has only scored six career goals to date, but three of those have been decisive in winning his side points and famously sending them through to the Champions League quarter-final this season. With 2016/17 his highest scoring campaign to date, Chelsea fans will be hoping to see him push on even further at Stamford Bridge.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Il Giornale dello Sport.