Blues become Barca-lite

Last updated : 04 August 2011 By Paul Lagan

Chelsea's attempt to become Barcelona took on new meaning today when Oriol Romeu Vidal from Barcelona put pen to paper on a four-year-contract.

Off course the 19-year-old was not at SW6 to actually sign as he is  with Spain's U-20 World Cup squad in Colombia. But it's a confirmed deal.

Romeu joined  Barcelona's academy from Espanyol in 2004.

He played first team league footy for Barca, coming on as a sub in a 0-0 draw against Deportivo La Coruna,
He also played in the Spanish Supercup against Sevilla.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has some decisions to make regarding the make-up of his squad.

With Zhirkov about to return to Russia - he and chief executive Ron Gourlay will have to decide once and for all what they will do about Luka Modric.

Will they increase their offer to £35m which is when Spurs will probably start taking them seriously or will they abort their attempt to land the playmaking midfielder.

Either way, the signing of the barca lad was not what most people were expecting when Gourlay announced that a couple of players will be Chelsea-bound within 10 days or so.

That time limit is just about up.

If Barca boy and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois are the only two signings Gourlay had in mind, there are going to be millions of disappointed Chelsea fans around the world