Why the £55m Premier League star would be a better signing for Chelsea than Scott

Arsenal must be scratching their heads. How did Chelsea swoop in and take a summer Premier League champions target under their noses?

After all, Chelsea finished 10th last season – below the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland – so there is no European football to look forward to at the start of the Xabi Alonso era.

But this is a perfect reflection of the size and scale of this club, which may have fallen into disrepair last season, but has now picked itself up – as it always does.

Chelsea's appetite is insatiable, and Alonso needs more stuff in the middle of the park to get his project off the ground. Maybe it's worth taking a closer look at Alex Scott's developing situation.

How Alex Scott can shape Alonso's Chelsea

Chelsea have seen their £64m bid for Bournemouth midfielder Scott knocked back. The 22-year-old has emerged as Stamford Bridge's top scorer this summer, and it's clear why.

Scott joined the Cherries from Bristol City in 2019. He was 19 years old. It's been a steady road to the top over the past three years, but he's getting there, and a move to Chelsea this summer will underline his growth.

Technically, he is really clean, and his understanding of the passing game allows him to set the tempo and control the flow. If football was a language, Scott would have expressed himself clearly, saying all the right things.

“He's got everything a midfielder should have playing in the Premier League,” Micah Richards said on Match of the Day in May, and Alonso continues to demonstrate his first-class talent credentials with this combined pressure.

Bournemouth do not want to sell, but Chelsea could be persistent buyers, and are hoping to add more, as Alonso looks to make a raid on the London rivals in the coming weeks.

Chelsea in talks to complete better signing than Scott

Chelsea are doing all the right things in the transfer market this summer. This doesn't look like an outfit content with a mid-table finish, and while Scott and Rogers could prove truly statement signings, Alonso needs to fix his team's backline – which is sharp.

Chelsea have been linked with a sensational move for free agent John Stones in recent days; The Three Lions veteran's contract with Manchester City expired last month. However, Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix could be the best buy.

According to reporter Bobby Vincent, talks are continuing with the Eagles as Chelsea look to seal a deal for the French defender, who is valued at £55m and is being pursued by Arsenal. The reporter says that BlueCo hopes to close the deal.

Lacroix has been called a “top defender” by journalist Tobias Kröger in the past, with his aggressive defensive style combined with a cool and almost elegant passing range. In this case, he could prove to be an important signing for a Chelsea team in need of an immediate promotion.

Look, for example, at how much stronger a campaign Lacroix had than Stones in the Premier League last season.

Scott could be on the rise at Bournemouth, but the outfit are adamant they don't want to sell, and the cost of the deal could be a bargain.

Stones, of course, will join Alonso's squad on a free transfer, but having played so little football last year, it could be argued that signing Lacroix, 26, makes more sense.

Scott and Lacroix both have rich experience in the Premier League, but Lacroix is ​​at his best right now, and if Chelsea can continue with Enzo Fernandez for the rest of the transfer window, there is no doubt that the Palace defender will be a very smart signing.

Chelsea are pulling no punches this summer. Hopefully Alonso will welcome both top targets in west London, but Lacroix's signature needs to be prioritized for the club to speak volumes.