Additions to the Stamford Bridge playing staff that could help Blues mount genuine Premier League title challenge.
Chelsea have been cast aside in recent seasons in the race for the Premier League. Numerous managerial changes and squad alterations have restricted the necessary continuity to compete in the league. The combination of Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo have set the foundations for a squad which will rival the Manchester clubs for the domestic titles, it’s now up to speculated manager Jose Mourinho to return them to domestic glory. Here are five signings which will aid Chelsea’s cause of doing just that.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
The talented French defender was brought to Madrid by Mourinho in the summer of 2011 for a fee of €10million from Lens, where he signed a six-year contract at the Bernabeu. Varane, 20, broke into the Madrid side this season, and also the France international set-up, which brought his talents to the attention of the world’s biggest clubs. Chelsea are yet to find a solid centre back pairing at the club which can be relied upon, and with Terry ageing, a long-term replacement is required. Varane is believed to cost Chelsea in excess of £25million if they wish to sign the rugged defender from Madrid this summer.
Versatile defender David Luiz is being rumoured as a potential make-weight in the deal, as the Spaniards deem Luiz’s talents ideal for the Spanish style of football. The foundations of Mourinho’s multi-title reign at Chelsea were based on a solid defensive structure, with Ashley Cole pegged in at left back, Branislav Ivanovich and Cesar Azpilicueta to battle it out for the right back spot, Chelsea are looking for that defender to partner either John Terry or Gary Cahill at the heart of their defence. The Blue’s are, on average, conceding more goals per/season since Mourinho left the club in 2007. Chelsea are looking long-term with their recent signings all being in their early twenties, Varane fits the bill for the project in place at the club.
Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund)
The German international was an integral part of Dortmund’s domestic and European success in recent seasons. The heart and soul of their midfield, and was the driving force behind their Champions League challenge. Able to play in a deep-lying role, or pushed forward in a supportive attacking role, Gundogan, 22, possesses the versatility of positions to fit into Chelsea’s interchangeable playing style and formation. Chelsea have been looking for a player in the ilk of Gundogan for some years now, and have never really been able to replace Claude Makelele in the heart of their midfield. Gundogan’s disruptive play and physical nature is ideal for Premier League football, and has been linked with a move to both Manchester clubs, as well as a move to Real Madrid, who are keen to use Nuri Sahin as a make-weight in the deal.
The combination of him and Sven Bender in Dortmund’s midfield was essential for their Champions League run, able to make key interceptions and tackles each and every game, and outside of the outgoing Mario Gotze, Gundogan actually had the most successful dribbles per/game of any Dortmund player, proving he has the ability to support attacking wise, not too dis-similar of Frank Lampard, without the goal production, fortunately, Chelsea have the creative influence in the attacking area to accommodate. Likely playing deeper in Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1 formation, Gundogan would ideally be a long-term replacement for Frank Lampard.
Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
Another German midfielder in the mould of Sami Khedira would be an ideal signing for Chelsea. Khedira, 26, was one of Mourinho’s first signings at Madrid in 2010, is another deep-lying midfielder who would be an upgrade on Chelsea’s current crop. John Obi Mikel has not been a hit with the Chelsea fans since he joined the club, and the Blues are looking for an improvement in his game or he will be replaced. Khedira has two years to go on his current deal at the Bernabeu, and Chelsea are looking to capitalise, but the midfielder will not come cheap, and Chelsea will have to spend in excess of £20million to sign the German.
It’s been rumoured that midfielder Michael Essien, who has been on loan at Real Madrid this season, could be used as a make-weight in a deal, but it’s unsure whether Mourinho would like to keep the Ghanaian at the club for the upcoming season. The combination of Khedira and Gundogan anchoring the Chelsea midfield would provide ideal protection for the back-four, while possessing the mobility to support going forward, but knowing that the attacking players in Chelsea’s midfield are able to create goals, Khedira and Gundogan are not required to push forward as often.
Andre Schurrle (Bayer Leverkusen)
A long-term target of Chelsea’s, Schurrle, yet another German international, is believed to be closing in on his switch to the London club. His versatility to play on the left, or as a central striker makes sense for Chelsea’s style of play. Leverkusen general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser revealed that Chelsea have agreed a fee in the region of £20million for Schurrle, 22, which will also see Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne join the German side on loan for the 2013/14 season. Schurrle is coming off his best season with Leverkusen, scoring 14 goals this year, and will likely replace flop Marko Marin, brought in last summer from Borussia Monchengladbach, and will likely start on the left side of the attacking three behind the central striker, with Hazard shifting inside and Juan Mata on the right. All three flair attackers are capable of creating chances and scoring goals from nothing.
With Romelu Lukaku likely going out on loan again, Chelsea need another striking option to complement Fernando Torres and Demba Ba at the club.
Edinson Cavani (Napoli)
Cavani is recognised around Europe as one of the most talented forwards going.Having missed out on Radamel Falcao, who appears to be on his way to Monaco, Cavani, 26, has become Chelsea’s most sought-after transfer target, but he will not come cheap. Chelsea will have to fend off interest from Manchester City if they wish to sign the £54million-rated Uruguayan from Italian side Napoli. Chelsea are said to be readying a bid of £25million plus striker Fernando Torres for Cavani, who has expressed his interest in seeking pastures new. Torres has yet to hit the lofty heights a £50million transfer fee would indicate, and may be shopped this summer.
Cavani is the physical presence needed up to for Chelsea to compete with Premier League defence’s and can score goals on a regular basis. With 104 goals in 138 appearances for Napoli, Cavani’s goal record makes for the ideal prolific striker Chelsea need to return them to domestic glory. United have Robin van Perise, and Manchester City have Sergio Aguero, two world-class strikers who are capable of 30 goals a season, something Chelsea have not had since Didier Drogba was in his prime. Cavani is on the same level as van Persie and Aguero, giving Chelsea a chance to compete in the League under Mourinho.
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