A collection of individuals who should be on Roman Abramovich’s Stamford Bridge radar this summer.
Radamel Falcao, Atletico Madrid
A long way to softening the blow of a wasted £50 million on Fernando Torres is to sign the best out and out striker in the world right now.
Many believe that this is already a done deal, and if that is the case Chelsea will look like 10 x the opposition next term even if they don’t bring anybody else in.
South American’s have had their problems fitting into the Premier League in the past, but Falcao is different. He’s physically well built, powerful, quick and with an uncanny ability to find the back of the net that nobody other than Messi and Ronaldo can compare to.
Falcao has scored 181 goals in just 272 games.
The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to British shores ever since his time at Porto and it’s high time he made it over here as he approaches his peak.
He’s a key man in the current development of the Colombian national teams from forgettable also-rans into one of the most exciting national sides in the game today.
Furthermore, his arrival in West London could pave the way for Torres to return to the club he made his name with. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Yaya Toure, Manchester City
The remaining 19 teams could really take advantage of the discord that has gripped the city squad. A whole list of stars are expected to make an exit from Eastlands this summer and those with the cash can really take advantage.
One of the players tipped to head the exodus is Yaya Toure who is rumoured to have fallen out with manager, Roberto Mancini.
What makes Toure dangerous, aside from his imposing physique and clever footballing brain is his versatility. During his long and successful career he’s played in virtually every position bar between the sticks and he’s proved more than just a capable deputy for the number of positions he’s appeared in.
However, Chelsea have players in Toure’s natural position, but none of them are quite as good as the Ivorian, and this is a great chance for them to add a natural born winner into the mix and rejuvenate that midfield.
Marouane Fellaini, Everton
A key figure in the Toffees midfield ever since he joined back in 2008, he’s payed his dues long enough to deserve Champions League football, or at least a move to a club that can offer him that.
Fellaini came close to joining Chelsea in January but David Moyes has managed to hold on to his star midfielder for just a little longer.
Unplayable at times, he has become a mainstay in the Belgian national team that have seen their stock rise considerably with the influx of their stars into the Premier League, he really deserves to be in a world class side.
A hefty sum of £25 million has been quoted, and in truth, he’s probably worth every penny. He has everything in his game and the chance to link up with Edin Hazard is probably to great to resist.
News came of Chelsea activating a clause in his contract at Everton were rife when the player had cancelled an autograph session at the side’s megastore shortly after the shock 3-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup earlier this month and the speculation quickly mounted.
The money will be good for Everton, they may be losing a key player, probably their best, but their financial difficulties have been well documented and that fee will go a long way into Moyes’ pocket for reinvestment.
Neymar, Santos
The young Brazilian has had his credentials questioned recently thanks to his decision to stay in his homeland instead of testing himself in Europe.
The Brazilian league is still sneered at by large parts of the football community despite them continuing to produce a never-ending string of world-class talent.
Like the rest of his peers, though, the 21-year-old has realised that a move across the Atlantic is inevitable and there is an impressive list of clubs lined up to take a closer look.
Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the bookies favourites, and if the London club can manage to persuade him to join then they would not only have one of the worlds most highly regarded players, but a powerful marketing tool too.
Neymar is heavily involved in the fashion world and would attract attention from all over the world with his choice in hairstyles and the clothes he wears.
He may be untested, but he has an uncanny ability to read the game and take the chances that come to him. He’s comfortable drifting anywhere along the front line meaning that a free role would suit him perfectly to exploit slow and unsure defences.
Luke Shaw, Southampton
As a Chelsea fan, there is really only one club the 17-year-old would ever want to play for, and the opportunity to learn under the tutelage of England’s best ever left-back will not be one to turn away.
Young talent is often quickly snapped up by larger clubs, and Shaw will be following in the footsteps of fellow Southampton academy graduates Wayne Bridge and Glen Johnson. Though it’s thought that if Shaw does join this summer he will be loaned back to the Saints for another season.
Shaw is in his breakthrough season on the South coast and has made the left-back slot his own.
A boyhood Chelsea fan, Shaw will most likely see his dream come true despite the club still unsure over who their next manager will be, but they have kept the England youth international a top priority.
When you’re a fan of a club, and constantly described as ‘the next Ashley Cole’ there really is only one place that you will end up.
Andre Schurrle, Bayer Leverkusen
Like Marko Marin before him, the 22-year-old German international has been tipped to become a future star. Unlike Marin, though, Schurrle has displayed a higher level of tactical nous and at a better rate of consistency.
The forward’s contract ends next year and is thought to have a release clause of £15 million. Chelsea are also willing to throw talented Belgian youngster, Kevin De Bruyne into the deal to twist Leverkusen’s arm.
De Bruyne has spent the season on loan at Werder Bremen where he has raised his profile considerably with some excellent performances that belie their lowly league position.
There’s no doubt that Schurrle deserves a bigger stage than the German club can offer. He has already been capped 22 times by the German national side and many see him as the leader of the pack in relation to the glut of exciting young players coming out of the country at the moment.
Comfortable on either wing and through the middle, his dribbling and pinpoint passing will be a huge asset in the club’s assault on the league.
Isco, Malaga
The 20-year-old has won admirers all over Europe this year as Malaga continue to be the surprise package of the Champions League.
Arsenal have already been linked with a summer move for the 20-year-old, but Chelsea could swoop in there as they’re in a better position to offer him a higher platform to showcase his skills in Europe.
Operating largely in the hole or on the left, he is a quick thinking dribbler with an eye for a pass and a European ban on the Spanish side next season could see many of their stars head for the exit.
Furthermore, he’d be in good company as Chelsea has already brought in former Spanish league regulars like Juan Mata and Oriel Romeu, making his transition a slightly easier one to bear, and the understanding between him and Mata would certainly be one to fear.
He may have signed a new deal with the Spaniards recently, but that is believed to drive up the player’s value in the face of the mass exodus they face in the coming months.
Burak Yilmaz, Galatasaray
The Turkish international has enjoyed quite the rise in fortunes recently. Having joined Galatasaray last summer from Trabzonspor, where he scored 58 times in 93 games, he has continued that good form this term by bagging 26 in 31 appearances.
His performances for the Turkish giants has caught the eye of a number of top European clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea. So far the only serious interest has come from England with the West London club thought to be in direct competition with United for his signature.
Whilst United will be a tough proposition to turn down, Chelsea could entice the 27-year-old by outlining the rebuilding plans that the prospective new manager will surely have.
Chelsea will have a number of strikers at the club, though, should he join. Romelu Lukaku is returning from West Bromwich Albion, Demba Ba is still waiting to hit top form, and depending on what transpires over the summer either Fernando Torres or Radamel Falcao will be on the roster.
That being said, the chance to make a starting spot his own is there providing he finds the back of the net on a regular basis.
Ezequiel Garay, Benfica
Largely thought to be joining Manchester United this summer, Chelsea could again swoop in to steal him from under the champion’s noses.
Once of Real Madrid, Garay was widely earmarked as the next defensive superstar who would take the world by storm. However, a tough time at the Bernabeau saw him return to former club Racing Santander on loan and he has since been shipped out to Benfica.
The Argentine international has been seen as a capable addition to a Chelsea defense that has often seen David Luiz moved forward into a defensive midfield role.
Garay is quick, clever and comfortable with the ball at his feet bringing it out from defense. He is a key man for pressing whenever the side lose the ball, and is adept at making the right tackle at the right time.
At 26 years of age, the timing for a move to the Premier is perfect. He has been under the radar of a number of clubs for some time now and Chelsea will want to pounce before United sort out their own defensive problems and build up enough steam to make a move.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid
Perhaps the most important name on this list. Chelsea have struggled to keep a man in the drivers seat ever since Mourinho left in 2007.
Fans are still adamant that he is the one man that the club need most – a charismatic and tactically genius leader who has not only the inspirational qualities to restore the club to a stable plateau, but the guile to keep them there too.
Since Mourinho left the club, they have been through eight managers, only one of which has lasted more than a solitary season, and all the while the 60-year-old Portuguese coach has been and won two Serie A titles, one Copa Italia, one La Liga trophy, the Copa Del Rey and the most prized trophy of all; the Champions League.
He has continued to prove that he can win trophies all over the continent and if he were to return to Stamford Bridge he would be able to bask in the knowledge that the club aren’t talking a gamble, he’s been there, done it, and won the player’s respect.
Thought to be heading through the exit door at Real this summer, it’s well known that he wanted to return to England one day. This could be a case of perfect timing.