So, we’ve shaved a hefty chunk off our wage bill already next season but who are we likely to be spending our millions on over the summer? TheChelseaBlog has had a look at some options, with its verdict so see who you fancy out of this lot:
Schweinsteiger
A decent replacement for Ballack you’d have to think? Not too dissimilar to his countryman, at 25 and with experience in Europe under his belt the versatile midfielder looks a good buy at around £25million. TheChelseaBlog verdict: Show him the money.
Toure
Another versatile midfielder with the added bonus of defensive qualities to free up Essien, at 27 Yaya Toure wouldn’t be a bad addition to the Chelsea side at the right price. Having said that, Barcelona’s evaluation is rumoured to be more in City’s price range than ours. TheChelseaBlog verdict: Another Robinho-style saga? No thanks.
Van der Vaart
It took an injury to Kaka for Rafael to get back in favour at the Bernabeu although before that he always looked to be heading for the exit. Another 27 year old, another versatile player and potentially the sort of playmaker we’ve been missing. Whether or not his impressive end to last season is enough to stop Real letting him go, particularly for the bargain £10million muted in the press is arguable. TheChelseaBlog verdict: Potential bargain.
Kaka
Ancelotti might fancy his former player in our midfield but do we? A mediocre season in La Liga doesn’t inspire anyone who knows how much more physically demanding a season in the Premier League is. Would Kaka still look quite so skillful on a rainy night up North after a heavy challenge or two? TheChelseaBlog verdict: A Shevchenko-style nosedive in the making.
Aguero
Again, a player maybe protected a bit by the vigilant La Liga refs although for me, Sergio Aguero is made of stronger stuff and would probably relish the sort of battle Premier League games would throw his way. As TheChelseaBlog has mentioned before, he could also be the player to give us a balanced (and pretty frightening) attack from the wings as long as Atletico don’t play silly buggers holding us to ransom in the transfer market. TheChelseaBlog verdict: Now you’re talking!
Benayoun
He’s been linked to us for weeks and even seems to have linked himself but having often found himself not considered good enough to get in Liverpool’s starting XI, is a 30 year old Yossi Benayoun really the sort of player Ancelotti should bring in? TheChelseaBlog verdict: Bench warming material only
Pato
Seemingly a player the Chelsea manager has a soft spot for having left him behind at AC Milan and a player he knows from experience would fit into his preferred system on the right side of a front three. Could the youngster transfer that from a less demanding Serie A to the Premier League though? TheChelseaBlog verdict: A bit of a gamble
Torres
With both his manager and Champions League football doing a disappearing act after a poor Liverpool season, Torres probably can’t wait to get away from Anfield. Even with a shortage of games through injury he bagged 18 goals in 22 Premier League games so signing him would be somewhere in the realms of fantasy really. TheChelseaBlog verdict: The crème de la crème of potential signings.
Blue is the colour
