Within mere hours the complexion of Chelsea's whole attack has potentially changed. There was something very familiar about the burst of excitement amongst fans on Tuesday evening when reports broke that a deal to sign Leeds attacker Raphinha was close.
As is usually the case, transfer speculation can rumble on for months, but it can all reach a conclusion in minutes, further emphasising the point that frustration over a perceived lack of activity can be naive.
The first hijack of the Todd Boehly era should excite Chelsea supporters but instantly poses a couple of questions regarding the approach Thomas Tuchel will take next season.
READ MORE: Chelsea reach full ‘agreement’ with Leeds for Raphinha move as transfer fee revealed
Should the reported £55m deal to sign the Brazilian be completed without a hitch, Tuchel will be adding one of the Premier League's most exciting attackers outside the top six. Beating London rivals Arsenal and Spurs to his signature would showcase the level of interest in the player, along with Barcelona circling too.
With 11 goals in a Leeds side who were close to relegation from the Premier League last season, the 25-year-old was very much the creative spark for a woefully chaotic side under Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch. Via Understat, Raphinha slightly outperformed his xG of 10.23 but was worth more assists than the three he ended with last season, expected to get over 6.
As has been reported widely, Tuchel is looking for wide players who are good in 1v1 situations, also demonstrated by the pursuit of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. It was arguably an area Chelsea fell short in last term, with attacks reaching a dead end with attackers either being led down blind alleys or losing possession.
There was a predictability to how the Blues built-up attacks, and especially without the threat of Reece James if the individual forwards did not produce it became easy to stifle, particularly in the slow, controlled tempo Chelsea play within.
Raphinha is an aggressive dribbler of the ball, he regularly takes defenders on, looking to take more risks in possession in order to disrupt the opposition. However, with Tuchel pursuing the winger there needs to be a consideration of where he has best excelled at Elland Road since 2020.
He is left-footed like current Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, who you could compare him to for his reliance on their favoured foot. Cutting in from the opposite side and the angles that creates for a cross, pass or shot. But one thing Raphinha has is more unpredictability and quicker changes in movement to keep a defender guessing.
Just a look at the heat map of Raphinha compared to Ziyech and Mason Mount, two players who were deployed on the right of Tuchel's 3-4-2-1 formation, showcases the difference.
Tuchel has used inside forwards, players who prefer to come narrow, with the wingbacks aiming to provide true width.
Even adding Sterling to that list demonstrates him being a naturally wide threat for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, more proof that Tuchel is pursuing a certain profile of forward this summer.
With James off the right, the English defender has already shown his capability to thrive in more central areas as well as marauding to the byline as well. There is little to suggest the two on the right of Chelsea's attack next season could not rotate, or that Tuchel could not evolve to allow his new signing to play in the spaces that have made him most effective.
A critique of Tuchel's attacking set-up so far is not adapting his attack to suit their strengths at previous clubs, something you would hope can be rectified with Raphinha and Sterling.
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