The World Cup is to the transfer market what Gok Wan is to Primark sales figures. Things get bought with ideas of high fashion and success, only to end up being a disastrous failure. We like to call this the “El Hadji Diouf Effect”.
As exclusively brought to you yesterday by Blue Tinted we know roughly who will be leaving the Chelsea squad this summer, but who will be taking their places?
Hilario Out…
Matej Delac in. The young Croatian goalkeeper has been quietly signed by the club on the basis of remaining in his native country until this summer. Chelsea are currently paying his wages at Inter Zaprešic, where he is currently their first choice ‘keeper having broken all sorts of age related records. Turning 18 in August the youngster represents a successor to Petr Cech already able to play first team football. Rumour? 10/10 – Done deal.
Kasper Schmeichel in. Son of the legendary Denmark and Manchester United stopper, the lofty 23 year old has experience of Premier League football with Manchester City, and more recently joined the aborted revolution under Sven at Notts County. Having mutually agreed to terminate his contract at Meadow Lane and forego any salary up until that point, the player is now available on a free contract and represents a young, decent, British trained player – criteria very similar to those on which we signed Ross Turnbull. Chelsea are said to be interested and it wouldn’t be outside the realms of reality.
Rumour? 4/10 – Don’t bet on it.
Carvalho Out…
David Luiz in. Based at Benfica the young Brazilian centre-half has seen his reputation rocket in the last 12 months with a string of increasingly accomplished performances. Interest is said to be coming from the top Spanish clubs and also the red and blue halves of Manchester, but a long-term interest remains from Chelsea who have a well established network in Portugal.
Rumour? 5/10 – Maybe, maybe not..
Jeffrey Bruma in. A name already familiar with all but the most dense Chelsea supporter, the Dutch U21 international has lead the clubs youth team to an FA Cup win this term having also made his senior debut and subsequent appearances this season. Footballing director Frank Arnesen is quoted recently as saying Bruma will not be loaned out this season, sparking speculation the 18yr old is one of those players named by Carlo Ancelotti as being ready for incorporation into the 1st team squad for next season, albeit as 4th choice.
Rumour? 8/10 – Could well happen.
Michael Mancienne in. Another familiar name with Chelsea fans the long-term youngster has just completed his Premier League loan spell with Wolves and states his desire for more first team football. Having failed to convince for the midlands club at centre half if seems unlikely a defensive position in the middle of a unit is likely, however impressive performances at right-back and holding midfield, most noteably against Liverpool, mean Mancienne could be considered a squad replacement for Belletti also.
Rumour? Centre half: 4/10 – Unlikely to be honest. Right back: 5/10 could well act as cover for Paulo, Ivan and Boss. Holding midfield: 6/10 needs to bulk up
Ballack out..
Javi Martinez in. A powerful, energetic 21yr old Spanish midfielder based with Athletic Bilbao, numerous agencies have us as tracking the player and Chelsea scouts have been spotted at Bilbao games. Rumoured as Liverpool’s ideal replacement for the outgoing Xabi Alonso the deal never came off and Chelsea are now looking at this player very strongly.
Rumour? 6/10 – Decent chance.
Nemanja Matic in. Already at Chelsea and increasingly involved in the last few months, the 21yr old Serb displays a composed and dominant style of play many feel mirrors a young Ballack. Trusted by Ancelotti, Matic is confirmed as one of the younger players now ready to be considered first team players. Whether or not his level of experience allows him to fully replace Michael Ballack is obviously a big question.
Rumour? 9/10 – He will be in the squad.
Deco out..
Marek Hamsik in. Based at Napoli the highly coveted 22yr old Slovak player will be high on Carlo Ancelotti’s radar. Goals, assists and energy mean Hamsik has attracted interest from all over the continent and could be considered a replacement for Deco. Has been linked to Chelsea in the past.
Rumour? 5/10 – Nice, but doubt it.
Alan Dzagoev in. The young CSKA Moscow player has already stated he has supported Chelsea since his younger years and would select us as his ideal destination. Taking Russia by storm his goals, assists and energy only add to the boxes already ticked by this exciting young Russian player.
Rumour? 7/10 – This could well happen. Hope so.
Pablo Hernandez in. The 25yr old winger has been somewhat of a slow burner at Valencia, taking his time in replacing the once-linked Joaquin from their lineup. An explosive latter section of his Valencia career has seen him record goals vs. Barcelona and Sevilla in recent months, and Chelsea’s scouting team have been watching him very closely. A mixture of pace, confidence and trickery he’s not a direct replacement for Deco however would do a similar job.
Rumour? 6/10 – The club have definitely been watching him.
Aguero in. Well documented on Blue Tinted this is a move that would see a natural replacement for Deco and successor for Anelka. The player has more than once stated his desire to play for Chelsea, and both clubs understand the others limits in terms of a transfer. It is now down to the player to make this deal happen by either relaxing his salary demands of cutting his agents fees.
Rumour? 8/10 – Nearly but not quite..
Others in…
Torres. Widely accepted as the best player of his type in the world, Fernando Torres’s agent team have been briefing the media of his covert desire to move on to a more successful club. The continued speculation over the future of Rafa Benitez first to Juve and now as replacement for Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan has unsettled the Spaniard. A move to Real Madrid is out of the question due to his Athletico roots, and Manchester City although very interested is attractive only financially. The main contenders for any move appear to be Barcelona or Chelsea. With Barcelona close to signing David Villa it would appear if Torres leaves Liverpool, which is a big IF, his likely destination could be Chelsea.
Rumour? 5/10 – It couldn’t happen…could it?..
Dzeko. A player most fans won’t be familiar with, however the towering Wolfsburg player has been tracked by the club since last summer and perhaps more importantly is highly rated by Carlo Ancelotti who initially wanted to sign him for AC Milan. Premier League interest remains strong, again with Man City linked as well as United considering the player as a potential replacement for £30mill flop Berbatov.
Rumour? 6/10 – Hard to tell..
Jack Rodwell. The young Everton midfielder has continued his fantastic progress this season, emerging as one of the real prospects for Englands midfield future. The race is now on for who can prize the youngster from Everton. Once again, City are in the mix – they like to throw their oar in with any transfer – United and ourselves have also registered interest.
Rumour? 5/10 – Everton will fight tooth and nail and only a club paying over the odds would get him..
We’ll update and review as and when the information floods in, and as always when we have more solid proof we’re moving for a player Blue Tinted will bring the news first as always. Have you any transfer snippets or the inside track? Let us know info@bluetinted.co.uk