Any Chelsea fans reading today’s transfer rumours will be very interested to see their club linked with PSG midfielder Marco Verratti.
The Italian is a player who is admired all over the world. He has a fantastic range of passing, with the Pirlo-like ability to use it to control the tempo of games, knowing when to play an aggressive pass and when to keep it short to control the game.
Chelsea know all too well the PSG man’s abilities, having faced the French side three years in a row in the Champions League.
But despite all these qualities, it would be a bad idea for Chelsea to divert their resources towards signing Verratti. The major problem will be money: PSG have no financial need to sell, and will likely only accept astronomically large bids for him.
Secondly you have to wonder where Verratti would fit in this Chelsea team. Conte’s 343 requires the two central midfielders to be the real engines of the team – hence Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante play but no Fabregas. Verratti is a tough and committed player who isn’t afraid to put a foot in, but he’s just not the physical type to be able to play in a two man midfield. Buying him would likely necessitate another formation change.
Nobody can deny the 24-year-olds ability. But there can also be no doubt that Chelsea could buy someone better suited to their team for a fraction of the cost.