Clauss: bye Cholo, hello Tuchel

With the intention of reinforcing the full-back owned by Reece James and giving him more competition, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea want Jonathan Clauss from RC Lens. Taking the lead to Atlético de Madrid who was also in negotiations to sign the Frenchman.

Clauss has been one of the great figures recently in France, for the 2021/2022 season he was summoned to 40 games played, of which 38 were as a starter, scoring 5 goals and 11 assists, figures that led him to be called for the first time with the French National Team, in which he made his debut on March 25, 2022, when he played the last minutes of the friendly against the Ivory Coast.

The 29-year-old defender admitted having had contact with Atlético de Madrid and Jonathan has been one of the great figures of the moment in France, which is why the ´rojiblanco´ club put his name on the agenda. Being like this, as conversations were started and everything pointed to the Frenchman ending up under the orders of Cholo Simeone.

However, his skills were also spotted by Tuchel’s ‘blues’, a group that has already launched its offer of 12 million euros with a contract until 2023 (it would come out for free next year if it does not come out) and with a market value 5.4 million, a sum that seems more than acceptable for the English squad.

Offer, which far exceeds seven million euros plus bonus for the goals achieved, which, according to rumors, that Atlético had prepared.

Overcoming that was worth it

So far, it is not the only name that has come out in recent months to improve the right lane of Atlético de Madrid. To the French one we must add those of Pedro Porro, Pablo Maffeo, Emerson Royal or Nahuel Molina.

Despite this, Clauss could be a fan of Chelsea, according to some media, something that would make things easier for those at Stamford Bridge. Without a doubt, it is an emotional preference that would momentarily leave Cholo Simeone without a new face.

In 2017, Jonathan Clauss was in the French third division with Avranches. After signing for Arminia Bielefeld, in 2020 he was promoted to the Bundesliga and moved to RC Lens, with whom he made his first division debut at the age of 27.

A good acquisition

The Strasbourg-born right-hander has emerged in these two seasons at Lens as an unusually attacking full-back, scoring 8 goals and adding another 18 assists in just 75 games.

In addition, he has a valid contract until June 30, 2023 with RC Lens, something that could facilitate his departure in this same transfer market. It should be noted that the winger currently has a market value of 15 million euros, a figure that both Chelsea and Atlético de Madrid would be willing to pay in order to be able to step firmly in both the domestic league and the UEFA Champions League.