Since Chelsea exited the Champions League on Tuesday night to Italian champions Inter rumours of a complete overhaul of their squad have been rife.
Their squad has been stretched in recent months chasing both the Premier League and Champions League crowns and signs of wear and tear showed against the Italians.
Ageing
A lot Chelsea’s squad are in their late-twenties to early-thirties. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti seems to like his squads to be experienced but there always needs to be the right mixture of young and old. Last summer Chelsea were quite quiet in the transfer market and it could cost them big come May.
The likes of Deco, Michael Ballack, Belletti, Hilario and Ricardo Carvalho are in their thirties and starting to look their age. According to recent reports all five could be leaving Chelsea this summer, despite whether Chelsea wins the Premier League or not.
Other players who could also exit Stamford Bridge are Joe Cole, Paulo Ferreira and Salomon Kalou. If that amount of players were to leave the Bridge it would be regarded as a massive clearout and those players would have to be replaced.
It’s believed that Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to spend big this summer in an attempt to revitalise the Chelsea squad. He seems to be frustrated with the current squad and hopes to build a new squad this summer.
A lot of names have been bandied around in the press but some are more likely than others. Here is a rundown.
Unlikely
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
The prolific striker would be an ideal signing for the Blues. He has pace power and skill everything you would want in a striker. He has also voiced his concerns about Liverpool’s current situation in recent days.
However I doubt that Torres will leave Anfield this summer. If he does do the unlikely then a move to European champions Barcelona or Italian champions Inter looks more likely.
Favourite
Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
The little Argentinian has been constantly linked with a big money move to the Blues and this summer that move could materialise. This season he has became frustrated by his side’s poor form in La Liga and may well decide it’s time to move on.
A fee in the region of £45million has been mooted for the talented attacker. Chelsea would face stiff competition from La Liga sides Real Madrid and Barcelona. It remains to be seen which is his preferred option but it seems he is almost certain to move on this summer.
Available
David Villa (Valencia)
There is a feeling in Valencia that Los Ches are resigned to losing their top talent this summer. The club are in serious financial difficulty and the sale of the Spanish international would bring in a large sum of money. Chelsea would have to pay a fee in the region of £30million for his services.
One stumbling block with Villa is that he would prefer to stay in Spain with both Real Madrid and Barcelona looking to sign the striker. Villa would add an extra dimension to a Chelsea attack which current lacks options.
Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
Like Villa it’s widely acknowledged that Ribery will leave Bayern this summer. He has been linked with a move away from the Allianz-Arena for the past few summers but this summer it’s finally expected to happen.
Ribery has already stated that Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested in signing him this summer. He would be another good attacking option for the Blues. However it will be down to Ribery where he ends up and he seems to have very good options available to him.
Possible
Benfica winger Angel Di Maria has also been linked with Chelsea but Mega rich Manchester City are also monitoring his situation. The Argentinian international is highly rated and it looks unlikely that Benfica will be able to keep hold of him for much longer.
Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik is on the radar of many of Europe’s top clubs. The Slovakian’s form in the last few seasons in Serie A has been impressive. His box-to-box style would prove a great asset for the Blues. The current favourites for his signature this summer are Jose Mourinho’s Inter.
Amazing
It’s amazing to think that there is all this debate in the media and Chelsea could still end up with a league and cup double. Yet it seems the man who writes the big cheques is not happy at failing to win the Champions League for another season and is ready to spend big to challenge for the trophy next season.
We would like to know who you’d like to see in a Chelsea shirt next season?
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