Christopher Lewis

With the transfer window set to open in less than a week, the transfer rumours are starting to gain traction. There have been a slew of confirmed transfers already amongst premier league clubs, and Chelsea are being linked with even more stars as July 1st edges nearer.

Robert Green – Source (The Guardian)

With Petr Cech having all but sealed his deal to Arsenal, Chelsea will turn to Rob Green to play second fiddle to Courtois. The English keeper has endured somewhat of a torrid 2015 at QPR, with the club never looking like putting up a scrap in the process of being relegated.

FamousCFC.com Chelsea Transfer Rumour Analysis –

Cech leaving is a disaster, to put it bluntly. The keeper has been between the sticks for our most successful decade, arguably remaining in the top 5 keepers in world football for the majority of that decade. Indeed it is hard to think of someone who has been so constantly reliable over the past ten years, Buffon maybe? Whatever the case, we are losing a legend, however the only thing I would prefer less, is to lose Courtois.

Hopefully the grass is greener for Cech at Arsenal, the man deserves to start and will do well. Thus we are (Admittedly by an awful pun) brought back to the man in question. Rob Green has international experience aplenty, and is a more than capable keeper. He also helps to fulfil our English players quota.

Rob Green will probably not fancy a season in the championship at the age of 35, and could be tempted by a chance to add some silverware to a career that arguably has deserved a lot more. I can definitely see this transfer taking place, Asmir Begovic may be the better keeper, but adds nothing to our tally of homegrown players. I also doubt that Jamal Blackman is quite at the level required as of yet.

Antonio Rudiger – Source (Telegraph)

VfB Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger is reportedly on Jose Mourinho’s radar, with the centre half keen on a move. The 22 year old has been plying his trade in the Bundesliga and has apparently done enough to warrant the interest of the Premier League champions.

Rudiger has appointed his brother Sahr Senesie as his new agent and has let it be known that he would prefer a move to Chelsea, Wolfsburg or Porto, according to reports in Bild.

FamousCFC.com Chelsea Transfer Rumour Analysis –

Chelsea are seemingly being linked with every defender on the market this transfer window, with the ageing of Terry, and the imminent departure of Luis combining for an obvious deficit.

Antonio Rudiger is a young player with obvious potential for improvement. However he only made 19 appearances for Stuttgart last season, showing he is not yet fully established at the Bundesliga side.

In my opinion, Chelsea will be needing a much more talented player to improve our squad, let alone our first team, particularly with Kurt Zouma bound to improve. Undoubtedly Rudiger may be one to watch for the future, but for now Chelsea should look elsewhere.

 

Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain – Source (Telegraph)

With Arsenal having nabbed Cech, Mourinho is apparently ready to retaliate by taking Oxlaide-Chamberlain from the North London side.

After Chelsea agreed the loan signing of Radamel Falcao from Monaco on Tuesday, Jose Mourinho is preparing to now target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the Portuguese looks to further strenghten the Premier League champions’ squad.

 FamousCFC.com Chelsea Transfer Rumour Analysis –

Jose Mourinho has previously spoke about potential transfer games should Cech join a Premier League rival.

Asked whether Abramovich will allow Cech to pick his next club, Mourinho said: “Perhaps, perhaps. But for every club that is interested in Petr, I can find a player that I like in that team too.”

Undoubtedly Arsenal should prepare themselves for a serious bid for Oxlaide-Chamberlain. The winger is a bright England prospect, and would seemingly fit Jose Mourinho’s demands of his wide players.

At only 21, he still has massive potential to develop despite already being very effective out on the right flank. Furthermore, the chance to work with Mourinho may entice a player who will surely be aiming to reach the very top.

I would love to see Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain in a Chelsea shirt. A bright English talent, good work ethic, what’s not to love? My only concern is that we should not pay over the odds, and pursue better value (More expensive or otherwise) options if they arise.

Source (Telegraph)

Chelsea are said to be set to swoop for Sergio Ramos in a shock move. The Spaniard has two years left remaining on his current contract, and is said to be less than enthused by the prospect of playing for Rafa Benitez. The players agent has gone on record to state:

“For now he still has two years of contract. We await the call of the club but Real Madrid have not called me.

“For now there are no talks. Perhaps it is best if he doesn’t finish his career at Real Madrid but at another club. We never know.

“Football is changing so fast – you must enjoy the moment.”

FamousCFC.com Chelsea Transfer Rumour Analysis –  

 

Sergio Ramos is a player that needs no introduction, the world cup winner is a player who can simultaneously frustrate and amaze at the same time. Barney Ronay of the Guardian asked if Sergio Ramos was “The most wonderfully charismatic baddie in world sport“. He exudes class when he wants to, and has been a mainstay of the Real Madrid team over the past decade. It’s also no doubt that Chelsea may need to reinforce in that position for next season.

Of course, all of this makes for good reading, but there’s very little chance he’ll be at Chelsea, not whilst Jose is in charge.

The public spat between the pair was borne during Mourinho’s tenure at Madrid, with Ramos (Some would say admirably) throwing his weight behind his friend and colleague Iker Casillas. The issues between the two have recurred as recently as last season. Whilst there is a possibility that Ramos and Mourinho could make up, it seems highly unlikely given how fresh the rift appears between the pair.

For me, it appears Ramos’ agent is simply trying to bump up his contract. Ramos is still integral to Madrid, and Benitez would be loathe to lose one of his best players.

 

Source (Telegraph)

It is reported that the Brazilian holding midfielder Luiz Gustavo is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. The German Cup winner has a £33 million release clause in his contract, and the Blues could be set to strengthen in a position where they already have considerable strength. Gustavo, 27, has over 30 caps for Brazil, and has enjoyed a very good season at Wolfsburg, with former Chelsea players Andre Schurrle and Kevin De Bruyne.

The midfielder is quoted as saying:

“If I were to be able to once again have the chance to go to such a club, then that would be like a gift to me. However, I also know what I have at VfL. I am incredibly happy here.”

FamousCFC.com Chelsea Transfer Rumour Analysis –  

The holding midfield role is one which Chelsea are quite well endowed. Nemanja Matić has been nothing short of a revelation since rejoining the Blues, and it’s quite clear that his tutelage under former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus was incredibly productive. Alongside Cesc Fábregas, it’s clear we have one of the best midfield partnerships in the league.

Thus it’s quite hard to see exactly where Luiz Gustavo fits into the Chelsea team. Although that is nothing to discredit the Brazilian, he had a quite impressive average rating of 7.26 this season with Wolfsburg, but even that doesn’t earn him a starting berth in the Chelsea midfield.

Thus not only does it raise questions regarding Chelsea’s purported interest in the player, but also the players interest in a move to the Premier League Champions. He has already failed to make a real impact at a big club, as he moved from Bayern Munich to get more first team football. Would he really be keen on going through another similar experience?

Furthermore, what would this mean for the development of Ruben Loftus-Cheek? There is a definite drive and enthusiasm of the Chelsea faithful for the young English midfielder to have a real chance to mark himself on the Chelsea team this coming season. Signing Gustavo would only serve to hinder that chance.

Lastly, the £33 million hardly represents good value. Whilst Gustavo is a player with obvious class, he would struggle to improve our starting eleven (If at all), whilst simultaneously taking out a significant chunk of our transfer budget. Signing a defensive midfielder isn’t one of our priorities, (or one of Jose Mourinho’s), and with Chelsea seeking a more efficient transfer policy than that of yesteryear in order to comply with FFP , I can’t see this deal happening in any way at all.

 

 

Source (Telegraph)

Jose Mourinho has reportedly outlined his transfer strategy for the summer, at the launch of BT Sport’s coverage of European football. He is quoted as saying:

“I want a striker, because we lost our legend (Didier Drogba). Also a defender and a midfield player to give a little bit more competitiveness to the squad, bring some new blood in, put some players a little bit under pressure.”

Chelsea were a perfect example of how to conduct transfer business last summer, getting deals for their main targets done before pre-season. This allowed the new signings, such as Fabregas, and Costa, plenty of time to bed in, and start the season in the best shape. Indeed, as expected, this summers transfer window is likely to bring a tide of evolution, rather than a wave of revolution:

“They know they have someone waiting, I need that to support my way of working. Now they’re the champions I need that. But basically the same squad, the same team, the same manager, stability in the club.”

FamousCFC.com Chelsea Transfer Rumour Analysis –  

Jose Mourinho has been relatively quiet about Chelsea’s transfer plans up until now, refusing to detail what positions he would like to strengthen this transfer window. However this interview will help shed some light on the transfer rumours that have already been circulating.

The need for a striker is well known, and Jose Mourinho confirming as such will only add to the speculation regarding Radamel Falcao. Rumours about Chelsea signing the Atlético pair Griezmann and Miranda will have been given a boost as well. However with his vagueness regarding the actual position of the defender and midfielder, perhaps we could be looking at a number 10, and a left back coming to the Bridge this summer?

The relieving thing is that as per usual, Jose Mourinho seems like he’ll sign the players we need, as opposed to other managers who may neglect certain faults and weaknesses in their team (We’re looking at you Arsene).