U.S. Leece and Super Eagles-eligible left-back Patrick Dorgu has stated his desire to join English Premier League side Chelsea. He has quickly established himself as one of Seria A's hottest prospects, courtesy of some encouraging laced performances for the Yellow and Reds.
His performances have attracted several elite clubs in Europe, but Dorgu has a soft spot for the two-time European champions.
The 19-year-old has made 24 appearances for Luca Gotti's side and has scored a goal. Dorgu joined the Italian outfit from Danish club FC Nordsjaelland in July 2023.
Coveted Patrick Dorgu expresses dream to join Chelsea
Amidst swirling transfer rumours, Dorgu has remained composed and focused on his current obligations. Speaking to Flashscore, Dorgu addressed the speculation surrounding his future: “I don’t spend that much time on it. There are always rumours and my agent has been approached, but right now I am under contract in Lecce and then we’ll see what happens.”
Despite the attention from multiple elite clubs in Europe, Dorgu revealed his deep-seated affinity for Chelsea: “I have been a Chelsea fan for many years, so of course it’s clear that it is a dream. That’s not to say I can’t switch to other teams in the Premier League, but even if things aren’t going so well for them right now, they’re my team.”
Which other clubs are eyeing Patrick Dorgu?
Top European clubs have taken notice of immense talent and skillset over the course of the season. Leading up to the January transfer window, there were rumours of interest from Liverpool, Tottenham, and Chelsea.
However, Lecce was reluctant to part with him mid-season. Nevertheless, securing a transfer to any of those clubs would represent a significant milestone for a player embarking on his debut senior campaign.
Why Patrick Dorgu is exactly what Chelsea need
The left-back position has been a challenging area for Chelsea since the departure of Ashley Cole. Despite significant investment, the club has failed to adequately address this position. Therefore, the imminent arrival of Dorgu brings considerable excitement as it finally seems to address this long-standing issue.
Dorgu brings with him superb defensive attributes, his concentration and tackling are excellent and he seems tactically aware for someone so young. He is quick, has a natural South American familiarity with the ball and can pass with pace and conviction.
He can also operate as a wing back in modern terms and whilst he is not perfect and can get caught high up the pitch he is a weapon for the attack.
It has been evident that Mauricio Pochettino wants his team to play with more pace and more directness. Dorgu will allow that break from the back and his ability to start these moves will be crucial.
The Danish-born Nigerian would seamlessly integrate into Chelsea's lineup, serving as further evidence of how Pochettino's vision is coming to fruition.
Dorgu has a long way to go to even be mentioned in the same breath as Cole but certainly has the quality to alleviate the pain.
What is Patrick Dorgu's current market value?
Dorgu's reported market value of just £11 million makes him an attractive option for clubs seeking a bargain. Chelsea could potentially consider him as a new left-back option, especially if rumors of an exodus come to fruition this summer.
Reports suggest that Spain defender Marc Cucurella may be let go, with rumors indicating he could be available for just £30 million—half of what Chelsea originally paid for him.
However, given that Dorgu comes at a fraction of that cost, Chelsea may not be overly concerned about Cucurella's potential departure.
Lewis Hall appears poised for a permanent transfer to Newcastle, while Ian Maatsen has caught the attention of several clubs due to his impressive performances while on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Who is Patrick Dorgu?
Born in Denmark to Nigerian parents, Dorgu has represented Denmark at youth level, including playing for the Denmark U-19s. He began his journey with Italian club Lecce's Under-19 squad in July 2022 after transferring from Nordsjaelland. Initially on loan for their under-19s team, the move became permanent in the summer, leading to his promotion to the first team.
Dorgu marked his debut on 13 August 2023 during a Coppa Italia match against Como. Just a week later, he debuted in Serie A against Lazio. His first goal came on 2 February 2023, securing victory against Fiorentina.
When asked about his international future, the left-back from Lecce acknowledged his connections to both Nigeria and Denmark but stated that he hasn't considered switching nationalities at this time.
He emphasised his current priority of performing well at the club level and expressed a willingness to evaluate his options for the future later on.
“I haven't thought about that. Everyone dreams of being able to represent their country. I was born in Denmark and have African roots, and right now I haven't thought about having to make a choice. I just play football and let it come with time,” Dorgu told Bold.
