Juan Cuadrado close to replacing Andre Schurrle at Chelsea

Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle is close to sealing a big money move to Wolfsburg, with Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado set to arrive as his replacement at Stamford Bridge

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are set to sell German winger Andre Schurrle to Wolfsburg and replace him with Colombian World Cup star Juan Cuadrado, who currently plies his trade in Italy with Fiorentina.

Negotiations

Schurrle has agreed personal terms with the Bundesliga side and the two clubs are negotiating a fee for the German World Cup winner, which will is likely to be more £20million.

The two clubs are expected to come to an agreement though, with Chelsea keen to use the money to sign a replacement.

Struggled

Andre Schurrle was bought in the same summer that Jose Mourinho returned as Chelsea boss. A deal was already agreed prior to the Portuguese boss’ return to Stamford Bridge, so he was not one of his signings.

He has shown in flashes his ability with the Blues, but he has struggled to find consistency during his time in south west London. This season he has made just five Premier League starts and nine substitute appearances in which he has scored three times.

Schurrle is obviously not in Mourinho’s plans and it seems he is now close to agreeing a move in aid of finding first team football. The move could be ideal for the 24-year-old World Cup winner, as the Wolves are second in the Bundesliga table and are looking to seal a place in the Champions League.

Replacement

The Blues have a replacement lined for the Germany international, with the energetic Cuadrado lined-up for a move to Stamford Bridge. The Colombian was one of the stars of his country’s run to the World Cup last summer and has a buy-out clause in his contract of £26.8million.

Sky claims that the Blues are just waiting for Schurrle to join Wolfsburg, before agreeing a deal for the winger. Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah is expected to join the Viola on-loan until the end of the season as part of the deal.

Versatility

Cuadrado is a versatile performer, as although he is vastly recognised as a winger he has spent much of the season playing as an attacking midfielder, scoring four goals and collecting four assists in his 17 Serie A appearances for the Viola.

His versatility is a major asset, as the former-Udinese star seems to do a dependable job wherever he plays.

Highly-rated

Cuadrado emerged from last summer’s World Cup as one of the most in-demand players in world football. At the start of the competition Fiorentina did not own all of his rights, but moved swiftly sign the player outright when his stock started to rise during the tournament.

In truth though, Cuadrado had been on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest clubs prior to the World Cup and many had shown an interest in the player. His World Cup performance only moved to confirm his qualities.

The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United were all credited with an interest in the player in the summer. However, it appears that it is Chelsea who will snap-up the Colombian with Mourinho seemingly desperate to add the player to his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Good Business

In my humble opinion Andre Schurrle is a player who has talent and does have immense potential. Having said that though he does not fit into the way that Jose Mourinho wants to play and maybe a move elsewhere is what his career needs at this vital stage.

At another club he could probably go on to be a star player and fulfil his potential, but he will never do that at Chelsea.

Cuadrado looks like he could prove to be a very good signing for the Blues. He has performed at a consistent level in both Serie A and on the international stage in recent years and looks to have the quality to make it in the Premier League.

Blues boss Mourinho has been a very shrewd operator in the transfer market since he returned to the club and this could turn out to be very good business from the Portuguese one.

In effect he is getting rid of a player that he no longer feels is useful and signing a player that could be a star performer in the Premier League.

Winners

Everybody wins in this deal. Schurrle gets a move to an upwardly mobile team where he will get regular football and potential star status, Chelsea get an outstanding player in Cuadrado and Fiorentina get a huge amount of money to strengthen and possibly Mohamed Salah.

I really cannot see a loser in this deal and once again Jose Mourinho seems to have pulled-off a shrewd deal, which could see Chelsea’s squad even stronger for the rest of the campaign.

Are Chelsea right to replace Andre Schurrle with Juan Cuadrado?