Chelsea have announced the signing of midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco.
The 22-year-old, who played a leading role in Monaco’s run to the Champions League semi-finals last season has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The France international has reportedly cost the Blues around £40million.
Here are five interesting facts about the French midfielder.
BAKAYOKO HEADER HUMBLES CITY
When Manchester City arrive at Stamford Bridge on the last day of September they will be only too aware of the damage Bakayoko is capable of wreaking.
Back in March his superb header 13 minutes from time condemned Pep Guardiola’s City to a painful Champions League last-16 exit on away goals. City arrived in the Principality in control of the tie after a 5-3 first-leg win.
And with 19 minutes to go they were 6-5 in front, only for Bakayoko to turn home Thomas Lemar’s free-kick to give Monaco a famous victory. “It’s an immense joy to score in the Champions League. I didn’t expect this,” he said.
Tiemoue Bakayoko (L) scores vs Manchester City
DESCHAMPS IS A FAN
France coach Didier Deschamps is a fully paid up member of the Bakayoko appreciation society.
The 1998 World Cup winning captain knows a thing or two about the ingredients that go into making a great player.
When he summoned Bakayoko for his first cap a week after his key role in dumping City out of Europe Deschamps said: “He’s powerful, makes an impact, scores decisive goals, makes goals and is a great all-rounder.”
France’s coach Didier Deschamps speaks highly of Bakayoko
THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK
Of all the qualities he will need in the Premier League, toughness is right up there with the rest of them, and Bakayoko certainly has that.
He broke his nose in training in the run up to Monaco’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Juventus, but didn’t let that deter him from starting against the Italians, wearing a special protective face mask that lent him the air of a Marvel superhero.
Surgery on a problem knee could see him missing out on Chelsea’s pre-season schedule. He overcame a lengthy spell sidelined with a broken leg as a youngster, before joining Rennes aged 13 in 2008, then his breakthrough move to Monaco in 2014.
The Masked Midfielder
FROM PINK TO BLACK
Bakayoko makes an impression, both on and off the pitch. An imposing 1.84m he is no shrinking violet when it comes to his appearance, dying his hair pink one day, blonde the next.
When he arrived in Monaco in 2014 he could be seen emerging from the fates of a luxury villa behind the wheel of a pink Porsche Cayenne. But after a sea change in attitude, triggered by his former youth coach at Rennes, he swapped the villa for a more modest apartment, and got the Cayenne resprayed black.
He explained: “They were saying that I loved the nice things in life, that I wasn’t a grafter, that I’d come (to Monaco) only for a higher salary, which wasn’t the case.”
Bakayoko (R) sports pink hair
WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?
Bakayoko sported the number 14 on his jersey at Monaco.
He chose it in tribute to the 14th arrondisement (district) in Paris where he was born to Ivorian parents on August 17 1994, and will wear the same number for Chelsea.
No.14
Provided by AFP