Chelsea signing Erling Haaland could be a DISASTER if the Norwegian upsets the team’s chemistry, claims former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf as the Frenchman admits the £90m-rated Dortmund forward is ‘a beast’
- Chelsea icon Frank Leboeuf has urged caution in club’s pursuit of Erling Haaland
- The Blues have been heavily linked with a summer move for £90m-rated star
- But Leboeuf believes the club must ensure he is a right fit for the dressing room
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has warned Erling Haaland could be a ‘disaster’ signing for the club if he is not a good fit for the dressing room.
The Blues have been heavily linked with a big-money summer move for the £90m-rated Dortmund forward – rated as one of the most talented in world football – as the club aim to bolster their misfiring front line.
Chelsea snapped up Timo Werner for £50m at the start of the season, beating off competition from a host of elite clubs, but the German has struggled to adapt to life in England – scoring just ten times in 39 games.
Erling Haaland (L) could be a ‘disaster’ for Chelsea if he does not suit the team’s chemistry, says former Blues defender Frank Lebeouf (R)
Now the west London outfit are throught to be circling for Haaland’s signature as they seek a world class striker to fire them to silverware, although Frenchman Leboeuf wants his old side to think twice before committing a lavish price to secure the 20-year-old.
‘Haaland is a beast,’ he told Sky Sports News. Of course it would be a plus for Chelsea. But now you have to think financially and economically, and you also have to also think and make sure your dressing room is going to be following the coach.’
Chelsea spent around £240m last summer on a handful of big name players, including Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, and Lebouef is concerned about what the future would hold for those stars if Haaland was thrusted into the starting XI.
Leboeuf, who played 144 times for the Chelsea and won three trophies, said the club and Thomas Tuchel would have to ensure that Haaland comes not only with talent, but with a desire to work with the team and a personality that would gel with his new teammates.
Leboeuf said the club must be careful to ensure the Norwegian adds to their talented squad
‘If you put Haaland (in the team) you lose [Olivier] Giroud,’ he added. ‘But you might lose [Kai] Havertz, you might lose Werner as well. What about [Christian] Pulisic? Where are you going to play [Hakim] Ziyech?
‘That is an equation that you have to make sure is going to work and that the results are going to be good for the club.
‘You can add talents, that is not a problem. But you have to make sure the chemistry works. Otherwise it is going for disaster. Having only talent doesn’t make sure you are going to win something.’
Should Chelsea opt to accelerate their interest in Haaland, they’ll likely face stiff competition from the likes of Real Madrid and both Manchester clubs – with United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer helping to launch his career at boyhood side Molde.
Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel (R) have been heavily lined with the star forward, but player himself has dismissed speculation he could leave Dortmund
The Norwegian has hinted at frustration with his time in Germany after storming down the tunnel last weekend
But Haaland – who has netted 33 times in 31 games this season – has sought to quash speculation linking him with a summer move this week, saying: ‘I still have three years of contract [at Dortmund].
‘I am not worried about [potential exit].’
Although Haaland is tied down in Germany, reports in Spain have suggested he will try to force through an exit if Dortmund miss out on Champions League football as his frustrations continue to grow.
A video of Haaland went viral on Saturday afternoon as he furiously stormed down the tunnel after Dortmund’s 2-2 draw with Cologne, in which he scored a brace as his side dropped more points in the Bundesliga.