Arsenal Opinion: Fedor Chalov could be the ideal back-up for Aubameyang and Lacazette
According to Metro, Arsenal are interested in signing Russian international striker Fedor Chalov in the summer transfer window, with reports claiming that manager Unai Emery is keen to bolster his attack ahead of the upcoming campaign.
However, if the Gunners are really serious about getting their hands on the coveted 21-year-old Russian prodigy, they would need to fend off interest from continental giants Sevilla and Monaco. (h/t Metro)
Arsenal are expected to operate in the summer window under serious financial constraints after missing out on Champions League qualification following their defeat at the hands of London rivals Chelsea in the Europa League final.
Unai Emery is reportedly looking for bargain deals in the market and the Gunners have identified the likes of William Saliba, Joachim Andersen, Dennis Praet, as well as River Plate prodigy Exequiel Palacios, as potential transfer targets for the summer. (h/t Metro)
Chalov topped the list of scorers in the Russian Premier League this past season with 15 goals to his name, whilst also providing 7 assists in the process. Regarded as one of Russia’s brightest young talents, the 21-year-old’s prolific form has attracted plenty of attention from across the continent and a move to a bigger club looks likely to materialize for Chalov this summer.
The youngster also proved his credentials in the UEFA Champions League this season and scored twice in the group stages, including in the famous 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu back in December.
Chalov broke into CSKA’s first-team at the start of the 2016-17 season and established himself as one of the key players for the Russian heavyweights in a very short span of time, earning rave review for his natural finishing abilities in front of goal. The 21-year-old boasts of an eye-watering strike rate for a player of his age, having contributed with 30 goals and 14 assists in 86 appearances for CSKA Moscow in all competitions till date.
The youngster’s talent and potential haven’t gone unnoticed and his consistently impressive displays at the club level earned him his first ever senior cap for Russia earlier this year. It doesn’t require a rocket scientist to figure out that Chalov is an incredible talent and Arsenal’s links with the player certainly makes a lot of sense.
Noted for his ability to score with both feet, Chalov is a fantastic goal poacher who keeps lurking inside the penalty box and waits to pounce on any half-chance that comes his way. Standing at 5ft. 11 inches, he is not the tallest of players but he makes up for his lack of aerial prowess with his intricate first touch, fantastic technical abilities on the ball and clever link-up play.
A natural finisher in front of goal, Chalov has shown a level of maturity that belies his tender years, both in terms of movement off the ball and decision-making. He plays with a lot of energy and likes to press the opposition’s back line in the final third, attributes which should make him a perfect fit for Unai Emery’s philosophy at Arsenal.
To put things into perspective, Fedor Chalov looks like a real talent, and whilst he is not the finished article just yet, the Gunners should look at him as an excellent long-term investment. The 21-year-old Russian has shown strong signs of promise very early in his career and Arsenal could have a gem in the years to come if he goes on to fulfil his promise at the Emirates.
Arsenal, of course, have the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front but they need to look for a back-up striker in the market due to the imminent departure of Danny Welbeck on a free transfer.
Emery has shown the inclination to field young players like Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah in the cup competitions and Chalov would probably get a fair crack of the whip, although one would expect him to feature more regularly in the Premier League given his profile and Champions League experience.
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Arsenal need to invest in young and talented players to build a strong platform for continued success and the acquisition of Fedor Chalov could work wonders for the Gunners in the years to come.
