Five players that can help Chelsea win the title next season.
5. Ivan Rakitic – Sevilla
Chelsea have already made some extensive alterations to their midfield this season, but come the summer there’s a very good chance that they will be without the talismanic Frank Lampard as he is still yet to be offered another extension on top of his current deal. Rakitic has almost single handedly kept Sevilla amongst the Europe chasing pack in La Liga, as well as help them make it to the last eight of the Europa League too. Sevilla are desperate to keep him, but with ongoing financial difficulties can they really afford to hold out for much longer?
4. Mario Mandzukic – Bayern Munich
The Croatian has been in impeccable form once again this season, and has not once failed to justify Bayern’s decision to ship Mario Gomez out in his favour. However, the same is set to happen to him this summer as Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski will be taking up the striking duties from late August. Mandzukic won;t want to play second fiddle to the Pole, and could look to move on. Rumours of his agent flying to London recently have done the rounds, and Chelsea will need to act fast if they are to beat Arsenal to his signature.
3. Eliaquim Mangala – Porto
Mangala has been the subject of some heavy speculation this term as a number of top European clubs have been making frequent trips to the Portugal’s second city to keep an eye on him. Premier League rivals Manchester United City have already been linked, and the latter had already come close to landing him on transfer deadline day in January. However, he stayed put and now Chelsea still have a few months to decide if they want to make their move again. He is a raw talent, but his performances against Spurs in the recent Europa League tie served to show that he is still very much a work in progress.
2. Luke Shaw – Southampton
Every few years one of England’s professional youth academies throws up a prodigious talent that has all of the top clubs salivating at the thought of him donning their respective shirt. This year the barton has been passed to Luke Shaw. Still undergoing his first full season on the south coast after making the breakthrough last term, he has already been called up to the England senior side and could very well still head to the World Cup in June. He would be the perfect replacement for Ashley Cole, at both club and country level…
1. Diego Costa – Atletico Madrid
Costa has become Europe’s most sought after striker over the past two years, and good news for Chelsea fans is that he’s available, and available for a knock down fee. The Blues also have a massive bargaining chip in the shape of Fernando Torres, who is thought to be keen on a return to the club that launched his career. If Chelsea don’t win the title this season it will be because of their lacklustre strikers and their goal shy performances. With Costa in the side, that will no longer be an excuse.