Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Red-hot Batshuayi set to become Chelsea’s new Drogba

Chelsea are set to complete the signing of Michy Batshuayi after the Belgian cleared a medical by the club.

Belgium's Michy Batshuayi. Photo: AP

Belgium's Michy Batshuayi. Photo: AP

Chelsea are set to complete the signing of Michy Batshuayi after the Belgian cleared a medical by the club.

The Marseilles striker was the subject of rival bids from a number of Premier League clubs, including a reported £31 million (S$56.1 million) offer from Crystal Palace, but incoming Blues manager Antonio Conte has swooped in with a £33 million cheque to make the 22-year-old his first summer signing. Here are four things about the Belgian striker, who will play a key role against Wales tomorrow morning.

HIS Background

Despite being born in Brussels, Batshuayi is of Congolese heritage. In 2014, he won the bizarrely named “Belgian Ebony Shoe” award that honours the performances of Belgian players of African descent.

After a number of brief and unsuccessful spells with a series of lower league Belgian clubs, the 22-year-old started his professional career with Standard Liege, where his 23 goals helped the club finish as runners-up in the Belgian first division in the 2013-14 season.

Last year, Batshuayi opted to declare for the Belgium national side, despite being eligible to play for Congo, the country of his parents.

The next Didier Drogba?

Batshuayi’s move to Stamford Bridge has striking similarities to Didier Drogba’s transfer in 2004.

Like Drogba, the 22-year-old will move from Marseilles to London for a club record fee and is seen as the eventual replacement for Diego Costa.

Batshuayi scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season and will become the most expensive sale in Marseilles’ history. He leaves the Stade Velodrome having scored 33 goals in 78 appearances for the club.

Street footbalL CRED

The Belgium striker honed his quick feet and eye for goal on the streets of Brussels in the notorious district of Park Pirsoul in Sint-Agatha-Berchem.

However, his desire to entertain has often seen him criticised for “selfishness”, spurning opportunities to pass to team-mates in favour of going for goal.

Some critics have pointed to his raw upbringing for his reputation in France as a “bad boy”.

Batshuayi spent just one season in the youth ranks of Anderlecht before he was then released for his poor attitude.

“They were right to kick me out. I wasn’t an angel to say the least,” Batshuayi once said.

versatile Style

Batshuayi’s versatility is one reason he was so coveted this summer, with Spurs, West Ham and Crystal Palace all tabling bids.

At 1.80m, the Belgian is not blessed with Didier Drogba’s physical prowess, but his pace, dynamism and ability to play a number of systems make up for his size.

The 22-year-old’s pace and dynamism also make him more than capable of playing as a lone striker should Conte see fit. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.