So, Yuri Zhirkov, Daniel Sturridge and Ross Turnball are all set to become Chelsea players but are these the sort of players we had in mind when we thought about summer signings?
Ross Turnball declined to renew his contract with relegated (snigger) Middlesbrough and looks all set to provide some competition in the Chelsea goal for Petr Cech. Good signing or not? Well, for me, he’s English, he’s 24, he’ll come on a free transfer, and with Hilario currently our only back-up in goal – it certainly can’t do us any harm.
At 25 and able to play anywhere down the left side, Zhirkov could be a good signing. Having been linked with both Scolari and Hiddink – who referred to him as a ‘top class footballer’, it looks as if it’s Ancelotti who’s finally nailed him down in a four-year deal worth somewhere between £17 – £18million. Seems strange that we’d bring him in right after Malouda has signed a new contract although with him versatile enough to provide cover at left-back as well, there seems to be method in Chelsea’s madness – but where exactly does that leave the injured Joe Cole? Playing off the front man maybe?
Then again, if that attacking role was being considered for Cole, would we be signing City’s Daniel Sturridge? Again, English, just 19 and after the tribunal agrees the fee he’ll cost us somewhere between £5-£8million, so not a bad deal if he lives up to his potential. But of the three signings, I have to admit this is the one that raises the questions for me. Firstly, we already have a young striker in Franco di Santo, who up til now has barely had the opportunity to even show us his potential, nevermind realise it, so why would a 19 year old ex-City player be given any more of a chance? And secondly, if the plan is to bring Sturridge into the first team, where exactly is the place for Joe Cole to fight for?
Blue is the colour
