Parmaβs rising star Zion Suzuki has emerged as one of Europeβs most-watched goalkeepers, with Chelsea and AC Milan both tracking the Japan international, as reported by Corriere dello Sport.
The 23-year-old has been a mainstay for Parma since 2024, already amassing 44 Serie A appearances.
Interestingly, he is studying English and Italian, a small but telling signal of a player preparing himself for the next step.
Suzukiβs appeal is easy to understand in the current goalkeeping market. He is a keeper who is comfortable advancing off his line, claiming crosses decisively, and initiating attacks with quick, accurate distribution.
While SΓ‘nchez offers experience, the London club have consistently researched profiles that can grow into the role over multiple seasons.
A keeper with Suzukiβs range, comfortable in tight spaces, quick to launch counters and reliable under set-piece pressure, would strengthen Chelseaβs squad and the goalkeeping department.
Zion Suzuki of Parma celebrates with his teammates (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
The Premier League giants would have to face competition from Milan though, who are looking for a long-term replacement of Mike Maignan.
There has been no public mention on price, but with a 23-year-old international who has already proven himself in Serie A, the starting point will not be modest.
Whether the timeline is January or the summer, Suzuki is about to enter a crucial part of his career where his next move could define the path of his future.
Another outstanding month for new car sales in Uruguay, up 30.8% year-on-year in September to 6,795. The year-to-date volume is now up 11.4% to 49,158. The event of the month is delivered by Chinese behemoth BYD, up a surreal 455.5% year-on-year to reach a stunning 18.7% market share. This means the carmaker breaks its share record for the third month in a row, going from 12.6% in July, 13.1% in August and 18.7% this month. BYD remains however a distant 2nd year-to-date, with Fiat, up a splendid 60% for the month, still firmly in the lead. Suzuki (+870.6%!) and Chery (+101%) also make themselves noticed in the remainder of the Top 10. Below, JMC (+1950%), Dongfeng (+950%), JAC (+220%) and Omoda (+44.4%) lead the Chinese charge. All in all, sales of Chinese brands in Uruguay soar 176.4% year-on-year this month to 35.2% share vs. 16.7% a year agoβ¦
Dacia Duster sales are up 238.3% year-on-year in September.
25/10 update: Now with Top 100 YTD models (PC+LCV)
10,381 passenger cars hit Hungarian roads in September, a stunning 14.4% year-on-year improvement. The year-to-date tally is up 7.7% to 95,946. The PC+LCV tally for the month is 12,131 with a YTD volume up 5.1% to 112,976.
In the PC brands charts, Suzuki (+10.7%) keeps the passenger car brands lead, just, 24 units above Toyota (+9.5%). Leader a year ago, Skoda (-15.4%) is in great difficulty but climbs two spots on August to #3, a ranking it also holds year-to-date. Volkswagen (+10.5%) trails the market but is up three ranks on last month to #4 with Ford (-17.2%) skidding to #5. Dacia is up to #8 vs. #11 year-to-date, while Chery breaks into the Hungarian Top 20 for the first time at #16 with 1.6% share. Tesla is up one spot to #18 and BYD down three to #19.
Model-wise, the Suzuki S-Cross (+6.7%) dominates again above the Suzuki Vitara (+46.8%) repeating at #2 but stuck at #3 year-to-date below the Skoda Octavia (-21.3%), ranking #3 for the month. The Dacia Duster (+238.3%) is up three spots on last month to #3, followed by the Toyota C-HR (+80.8%) up 10 ranks to #5 and the Toyota Yaris Cross (+71.2%) down two to #6 despite a fantastic YoY lift. The Hyundai Tucson (+263.6%) and Ford Puma (+121.1%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10.
Jaecoo sales are up 1480% year-on-year in September.
4,651 new light vehicles found a buyer in Panama in September, with the year-to-date tally standing at 42,762. Toyota (+9.9%) remains by far the most popular carmaker but can only muster 16.9% share vs. 19.4% in the year through September.
Kia (+17.5%) is in even better shape at #2 whereas Hyundai (-42.8%) freefalls year-on-year but still hold an honest 11.6% share. Isuzu (+38.9%), Changan (+29.9%) and Nissan (+16.9%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10. Below, Jaecoo (+1480%) surges to #15 with 1.7% share vs. 0.4% year-to-date, Kaiyi is up 141.9% and Dongfeng up 108.7%. Newcomer Soueast is up 11 spots on last month to #23.
Over in the models charts, the Hyundai Grand i10 repeats at #1 with 5.7% share, distancing the Kia Soluto, Toyota Hilux and Yaris Cross like last month. The Kia Picanto returns to the Top 10 at #5 as do the Hyundai Creta (#7) and Suzuki Jimny (#8).
The Kia Picanto is the best-selling vehicle in Colombia in September.
The Colombian new vehicle market surges 45.2% year-on-year in September to 24,894 units, making it the best month of the year so far. However, remember September 2024 was off -34.7% on the year prior. Through September, sales are up a stunning 29.3% to 175,157. Kia (+77.1%) reclaims control of the brands charts with 14.4% share, its highest since last February. Renault (+39.6%) almost matches the market and stays in 2nd place ahead of a strong Chevrolet (+62.8%). Mazda (+15.2%) is significantly more muted whereas Toyota (-27.2%), #1 last month, dives to #5. BYD (+225.8%) delivers the biggest YoY gain in the Top 20 and passes the 1,000 monthly sales milestone for the first time but is down one spot on August to #9. Hyundai (+79.6%) and Suzuki (+66%) also impress.
In the models ranking, Kia monopolises the Top 2 with the Picanto (+131.3%) at #1 and the K3 (+54.5%) at #2. The Mazda CX-30 (+5.6%) is down one spot to #3, distancing the Chevrolet Onix (+108.8%) and Renault Duster Nacional (+48.2%). The Kia Sportage (+240.4%) spectacularly storms into the Top 10 at #6, up 8 ranks on last month. #1 last month and year-to-date, the Toyota Corolla Cross (-35%) would rather forget about this month. The best-selling newcomer is once again the BYD Yuan Up albeit down 3 spots to #11.
Chery sales are up 134.2% year-on-year in September.
New vehicle sales in Ecuador soar 39.5% year-on-year in September to 11,299 units, however September 2024 was off -23.3% on the year prior. Year-to-date volumes are up 6.4% to 88,605. Kia (+15.7%) confirms it is the new dominant force in the market but falls to 14% share vs. 16.1% year-to-date. Chevrolet (-8.8%) is in complete freefall given the market dynamics and endures one of only two YoY losses in the Top 20.
Chery (+134.2%), GWM (+87.4%), Hyundai (+79.8%) and Renault (+67.7%) in contrast all post fantastic gains. DFSK (+58.5%), Suzuki (+56.7%) and JAC (+53.7%) also outrun the market in the remainder of the Top 10. Just below, BYD (+666.7%) shoots up to #11 vs. #15 so far this year. Foton (+146.4%) and Jetour (+105.7%) also impress.
Model-wise, the Kia Soluto easily holds onto the top spot while the Chevrolet D-Max is back to the 2nd position it holds year-to-date, passing the Chevrolet Groove. The GWM Poer overtakes the Kia Sonet to #4 while the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Tucson camp on their August ranking. Illustrating the brandβs success this month, the Chery Arrizo climbs to #9.
Itβs the best month of the year by far in Greece with September volumes surging 27% year-on-year to 12,273. A caveat to this performance is the fact that September 2024 was off -15.3% on the year prior. The year-to-date tally is now up 3.9% to 112,232. Toyota (+30.2%) signs its highest market share in almost a year at 17.8% (October 2024 18.3%) while Suzuki (+29.3%) is back up five spots on last month to #2. Hyundai (+47.8%) stays at #3 with Peugeot (+11%) and BMW (+8.5%) weak in context. Citroen (+112.7%), Renault (+67.7%) and Volkswagen (+76.1%) deliver the biggest year-on-year gains in the Top 10. Below, Nissan (+145.8%), Mercedes (+59.9%) and MG (+54.5%) stand out. We welcome Zeekr and Changan Deepal in the charts.
Over in the models ranking, the Toyota Yaris Cross (+68.3%) is up to a fantastic 7.4% share after reaching 7.9% last month. As a result it poses the Peugeot 2008 (+40.1%) year-to-date to snap the pole position, a ranking it held over the Full Year 2024. The Renault Clio (+77.8%) advances to #3 vs. #12 YTD while the Toyota C-HR (+72.3%) rallies back up 19 spots on August to rank at #4 vs. #11 so far this year. The Suzuki Swift (+125.2%), Nissan Juke (+91.6%), Suzuki Vitara (+36.6%) and Citroen C3 (+35.5%) also beat the market in the remainder of the Top 10.
MiThe Mitsubishi ASX sold in New Caledonia is not the European model.
Continuing social unrest means New Caledonian new car sales freefall again through September at -23.3% to 2,487 units. Keep in mind the year-ago volume was already off -48.7% on the year prior. Toyota (-41.7%) falls markedly faster than the market, seeing its share reduced to 14%. In contrast Renault (-7.6%) and Suzuki (-13.2%) resist relatively well in context and complete the podium like they did over the Full Year 2024. Hyundai (+1.1%) is the only gainer in the Top 8 and climbs four spots to #4. Dacia (-45.3%) and Peugeot (-30.1%) are hit the hardest below but Mitsubishi (+22.1%) and Subaru (+21.3%) post market-defying surges to close out the Top 10. BAIC (+94.7%), Fiat (+54.2%) and BYD (+15.4%) also impress further down.
Over in the models charts, the Toyota Hilux (-51.6%) stays on top but loses over half its year-ago volume. It is followed this time by the Suzuki Swift (-9.3%) passing the Dacia Duster (-31.5%). The Ford Ranger (+11.8%) is actually up to #4 while the Mitsubishi ASX (+64.5%) and Renault Kangoo (+9.4%) also post year-on-year upticks in the remainder of the Top 10. The Renault Master (-3.4%), Hyundai Tucson (-7.5%) and Suzuki Jimny (-10.3%) resist but the Citroen Berlingo (-28.8%) dives.