Javier Mascherano (FC Barcelona)
Chelsea made several attempts to offload holding midfield player John Obi Mikel during the recent summer transfer window, only to discover that despite plenty of interest in the languid Nigeria international, especially from Turkish champions Galatasaray, no club was prepared to meet their £12 million valuation of the 26-year-old.
And that has given Mikel an opportunity to re-establish himself in the Blues’ starting XI at the beginning of the new campaign under the guidance of the man who first brought him to Stamford Bridge seven years ago, Jose Mourinho.
However, the word going around west London at present is that Mikel is not a favourite of Mourinho’s, with the Portuguese said to be unconvinced about the player’s ability to carry out the role of defensive midfielder in the capital going forward.
One man with the experience, skills and know-how, though, to take on this position with the Blues is that of Barca’s Argentina international, who shone as a ‘water carrier’ for five years with Liverpool, before his 24 million euro move to Camp Nou in August 2010.
And with the 29-year-old now only a bit-part player with the Spanish champions following the recent arrival of new head coach Gerardo Martino in Catalonia, and even then Mascherano is only utilised in an unfamiliar centre-back position by the Paraguayan, Chelsea and Mourinho could do worse than make a move for the Argentinian come the turn of the year.