Chelsea midfielder leaves Stamford Bridge

Aston Villa has agreed a transfer fee with Chelsea for English midfielder Steve Sidwell, according to Sky Sports. The 25 year old who joined Chelsea from Reading last summer on a free transfer, will now cost Martin O’Neill’s team £5.5 million.

Sidwell was brought into the Chelsea squad to bolster the team’s midfield for the duration of the African Cup of Nations, when Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel would have been on international duty. However first team opportunities were extremely scarce for Steve Sidwell throughout the season.

Martin O’Neill is thought to be looking to strengthen his thin squad ahead of next season as he will be aiming to improve on this seasons sixth place finish . However, the possibility of Gareth Barry leaving the club might have been taken into consideration when the bid was lodged.

[Source: Sky Sports]