Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Leandro Trossard teases Chelsea over transfer as De Zerbi issues clear message to Arsenal, Man Utd target

Leandro Trossard of Brighton during the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester.

Brighton star Leandro Trossard is refusing to rule out a move to Chelsea in January amid claims Graham Potter is keen to reunite with the Belgian at Stamford Bridge.

Potter departed the Seagulls for Stamford Bridge last month after a doing a stellar job at the Amex. And with the January window fast approaching, the new Chelsea manager is deciding where best to spend his money. And it has not taken long for three of Brighton’s big-name players, among them Trossard, to be linked with a move to the Blues.

Trossard moved to Brighton in a £17.7m move from Genk back in June 2019. Since then, he’s made 111 appearances, scoring 23 goals. A player of tremendous ability, the one doubt cast over him is that he ought to score more goals.

However, he served notice of intentions to improve those numbers by notching a stylish hat-trick in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Liverpool.

That treble has, understandably, also further enhanced claims he could be lured away from Brighton in January.

Indeed, Chelsea are far from the only side seemingly keen on his services. To that end, Arsenal are also strongly reported to be looking at the player. In addition, Manchester United have also reportedly kept a close watch on his progress in the past.

And now, speaking about his future for the first time, Trossard is seemingly open to the idea of a possible move away.

Teasing a potential transfer, Trossard told BBC’s Monday Night Club he is ruling nothing out.

Leandro Trossard discusses future

Asked directly if he would consider a move to Chelsea or Arsenal, Trossard said: “It’s difficult to say anything about that now, it completely depends on which club would come.

“If I feel good and things are good on a private level… but I also know how good I am at Brighton, also with new coach Roberto De Zerbi it looks promising.

“I’m a little higher up the pitch now, which gives me more chances to score a goal. And the more chances you get, the more you can score. I think that’s the biggest difference from the last few years.”

Discussing his hat-trick at Anfield, Trossard insists he is looking to build on that feat and was pleased to put his name in lights.

“[It is] Always nice when you can score, especially three at Anfield. It’s a shame we couldn’t get all three points. Maybe one way [the result was fair], I think we could have scored more but towards the end it was fair, but you always want more especially if you’re 2-0 up.

“Obviously it’s a big game, you always want to show yourself in the best possible way. I’m happy with the team, we reacted brilliantly after we went down as well.”

De Zerbi sends message to Brighton star

Trossard’s deal with Brighton is currently due to expire in summer 2024. As such, new boss Roberto De Zerbi is keen to tie the winger down to a new deal.

And talks with the player and his representative are reportedly ongoing as the Seagulls look to secure their star man’s future.

However, a huge bid for his services may well test their resolve.

All the same, De Zerbi is urging Trossard to ignore speculation over his future. And the Italian wants him to continue focusing on what he can bring to his team.

“Leandro Trossard is a very good player,” De Zerbi said. “Before, when he was in the national team, I sent to him a message that he has to increase the number of goals.

“He has played a great game, he scored two fantastic goals, the first two. The third one was very good because he was already at the far post.

“But I believe he can do even better. When I say he can do even better it’s not because I’m not happy about his game today, [it’s] because I consider him a great, great, great player.”

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