The summer has so far been dominated by the so called striker myth in Chelsea FC. We were led to believe last week bids have been submitted for Cavani, with several players being traded the other way. We heard Torres being linked, Courtois being a possible suitor, and Napoli wanting Ramires. To add fuel to the speculation, I heard on Sky News earlier this week Cavani saying "I don't know if they made an offer for me, I just know that to be coached by someone like Manuel Pellegrini or Jose Mourinho would always be a pleasure." That's when I really thought this was almost a done deal.
Then this morning I read the papers and Senior Cavani is being quoted that Junior Cavani will only go to Real Madrid and not to CFC or MCFC. “He has told the family in private that he wants to join Real Madrid but if he declares it publicly it will annoy Napoli.” Hmm, Mr. Cavani, what have you just done? Have you not just publicly annoyed the Serie A outfit?
It seems that it's not just the papers, but Mr and Mrs Cavani are doing their best to add speculation to the hottest transfer battle of the summer. Reminds me of an incident last year when the senior Mrs Van Persie was quoted in the papers as saying that her son would never play for another Premier League club if he leaves Arsenal. And look where he ended up. I think the parents are as bad as the media in fuelling speculation.
Moving on, I'm actually really excited about the new season ahead. Having got rid of Messieurs Ferreira, Malouda, Hilario, Turnbull, Benayoun, CFC has done really well to invest in young blood. It seems like the so called "Project" started by a certain Mr. Andre Villas-Boas is finally taking shape. To add to the already established young stars of the team in Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Luiz, Cahill and Azpilcuetta, we now welcome to our squad Lukaku, Schurrle and De Bruyne. I'm really hopeful of signing either Lewandowski or Higuain, a defensive midfielder, one left back in Coentrao and a centre back Mangala. I would also really like us to snap up Julian Draxler, he is one of the hottest young properties in Germany.
What about the outgoings? If the story is true (it feels too good to be true) I would jump on the £7million offered by Monaco to take John Terry away. In fact I would personally buy a one way ticket to Monaco for him and send him there. Not only has his performance dipped, his fractious relationship with managers such as AVB and Rafa, he has also been a PR disaster for our club.
I have also heard Galatasaray are interested in Mikel and if we can get £15 million for him, that would be a good sale.
I think the writing is on the wall for one of Torres or Ba to leave. I personally like Torres but Ba is cheaper on the payroll. With 3 years remaining on the contract, Torres would cost us £26 million which we may wish to reconsider.
I think Piazzon, Courtois, McEchran, Marin and Thorgan Hazard will be sent on loan. McEchran will be on his last chance after miserable spells at Swansea and Middlesborough to show he can establish himself. I would also send Courtois on loan in England to get acclimatised to the conditions. Enough of Athletico Madrid son.
So what does my Chelsea team look like next season?
Goalkeeper- Cech, Delac, Blackman
Right Back- Azpilicuetta, Wallace
Centre Backs- Luiz, Cahill, Ivanovic, Mangala
Left Back- Cole, Coentrao, Bertrand
Holding Midfielder- Essien, Lampard, Chalobah, Romeu, Ramires
Wingers/Attacking Midfielders- Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Moses, Schurrle, De Bruyne, Draxler
Strikers- Lewandowski/ Higuain, Lukaku, Ba
We do look thin on Centre Back, maybe we should buy one more.
I think it's an exciting team, don't you think?