Jamie Carragher has labelled Wilfried Zaha's finishing and coolness in one-v-one situations as 'out of this world' as Chelsea have been told why they need to sign the Crystal Palace winger over Everton's Anthony Gordon.
The Blues are on the hunt for more attackers following the departure of Timo Werner and the expected summer departures of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech. football.london understands that talks are progressing over a short-term Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deal with an opening offer expected soon.
But he isn't the only attacker that is expected to sign before the deadline. A winger/wing-back cover looks to be needed on Reece James' side and despite Ruben Loftus-Cheek's solid performance in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham over the weekend, this hasn't changed the objective of the board.
READ MORE: Zaha signs, Aubameyang decision - Thomas Tuchel's dream Chelsea front three after £300m spend
football.london understands that the Blues have had a £40m offer rejected for Everton wide player Anthony Gordon and could reluctantly meet the £50m asking price despite the minor doubts. Elsewhere, Palace star Zaha has already been linked earlier in the transfer window with a transfer fee of around £25-35m expected to be enough to secure his services at this late stage, with the 29-year-old having less than a year on his current deal.
Plus, Chelsea have a few players of interest to their London counterparts, meaning a swap deal or player-plus-cash deal like the Marc Cucurella-Levi Colwill situation could transpire once more.
“Zaha’s price tag still £25m and he would love the move to Chelsea," Blues transfer expert Simon Phillips said. "We have had positive contact with Crystal Palace for Zaha and a deal is possible. But the focus in attack right now is Aubameyang.”
£50m for Gordon or £25m for Zaha? That is the key decision facing Tuchel and Todd Boehly but Palace's No. 11 has passed his latest audition with his solid outing at Anfield in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Monday Night Football clash.
Although he did miss a few chances at the end of the first half and during the second period, Zaha kept his head when it matters as he finished well past Alisson after his run in behind the Reds' defence was picked out by the magic foot of Eberechi Eke.
It was a goal that Carragher labelled 'out of this world.' He said during half-time on Sky Sports' coverage: "How they always get caught and for me this is the difference between Liverpool and Man City, counter-attacks and that’s the difference between the two team.
"Liverpool played well for most of the game but this was always the plan from Palace or any team coming up against them. Fabinho doesn’t do well at all but you have to look at the body position of Nat Phillips, compared to Zaha. If it was another team you’d say go in behind but Liverpool don’t do that.
"I think Van Dijk can sprint across and get into Zaha’s eyeline but the finish is absolutely out of this world against one of the best goalkeepers in world football. That is always going to be a problem that channel with pace."
Chelsea fans- If you could only sign one of Wilfried Zaha or Anthony Gordon, who would you choose and why? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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