Chelsea have, as promised, been swift with the appointment of a new manager and it’s the Portuguese, Jose Mourinho prodigy Andre’ Villas-Boas who has been given the opportunity/privilege/burden (delete appropriate) of taking over one of the cruellest hot seats known in management. He is immediately faced with the pressing issue of incoming and outgoing transfers at Stamford Bridge. Do all the speculation, rumours and possible negotiations Chelsea have been linked with over the last month now count for nothing after the appointment of Villas-Boas? Or will he encourage the deals his new club have been linked with?
Many Chelsea fans would have assumed that the speculation about players they have been linked with were players possibly singled out by a manager, be it Villas-Boas, Guus Hiddink or another manager waiting in the wings, ready to take the helm. However, it would appear with the arrival of Villas-Boas has come new speculation surrounding different players both arriving and leaving Chelsea. Perhaps their transfer targets have now changed.
It seems that the ex-Porto manager is perusing some of his former players, individuals that were prior to Villas-Boas’ appointment not linked with a move to Chelsea. João Moutinho, a player previously linked with multiple European sides such as Liverpool, is a name which has recently been thrown in the Chelsea transfer crucible. Villas-Boas is clearly keen on the 24 year old playmaker, having signed him from Portuguese rivals Sporting Lisbon last summer and is reportedly eager for Moutinho to join him at Stamford Bridge.
This, combined with the statement from Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insisting Luka Modric is not for sale, has seen the Croatian midfielder somewhat slide off the transfer radar over the last few days. There are arguably positives and negatives to this news, the signing of Modric would see proven Premier League pedigree come to Chelsea but on the other hand he could come at an extortionate price following Spurs’ ‘no fee is high enough’ policy.
Moutinho would possibly be more of a signing for the future, being younger than Modric, but does not boast Premier League experience which could prove vital to him gelling into the side quicker. However, given Villas-Boas’ thorough and concise approach he is likely to have a better idea than anyone which players can cut it in the Premier League. Hindsight is however something Villas-Boas doesn’t possess and he will have to use his detailed approach to bring in the best possible candidate into the midfield.
Prior to the appointment of Villas-Boas, Chelsea were said to be ‘in discussions’ with promising Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, there is yet word of whether these talks have now ceased following the arrival of the new coach or if he is keen on Lukaku; only time will tell. However, another Porto player linked with a reunion with Villa-Boas is Columbian forward Radamel Falcao, would this transfer be instead of or alongisde any possible Lukaku deal?
Porto will undoubtedly be wary of the post Mourinho effect in 2005/2006 when he took Ricardo Carvalho, Paolo Ferreira and Jose Bosingwa to Chelsea. They will clearly take action to detour this from happening again or demand substantial transfer fees for Mountinho, Falcao or anyone else moving to London.
Another name continuously linked with Chelsea is Brazilian striker Neymar and speculation regarding this deal has rejuvenated following the managerial change. It seems that whoever is the head coach, Neymar is always strongly associated with a move to Chelsea, possible the Chelsea hierarchy don’t want to see such a promising player go to a rival club. Villas-Boas will perhaps be put off by the players temperament and the unsettling affect he could have on the ‘team motivation’ he talked about recently.
For the first time in a few years, rumour about players leaving Chelsea are just as frivolous as players they may be singing. Are some Chelsea players futures now in jeopardy follwing the appointment of Villas-Boas? Whereas they might not have been if Guus Hiddink or another manager had taken over. Didier Drogba is a player who many Chelsea fans will want to see stay at Stamford Bridge. However, does Villas-Boas see Drogba as a crucial cog in his Chelsea system or do the pursuits of Falcao and Neymar highlight the fact that he would not resist any Drogba attempt to leave?
The same goes for Frank Lampard, will Villas-Boas risk the wrath of the Chelsea faithful by letting the much-loved midfielder leave? He has kept stum about particular individuals but must have ideas of who he wants to stay and who he will hold the door open for. Maybe, at just 33, he wants to radiate a new, younger, fresher image at Chelsea and the departure of fan favourites may be necessary to see long term success.
It is clear that, whoever has been leading Chelsea transfer negotiations over the last month, they will need to listen to Villas-Boas’ suggestions as he will undoubtedly have been as ruthless in his scouting for new acquisitions as he was and is in his preparation for matches.
By Sam Scott for This Is Futbol
Would Villas-Boas (or Mourinho or Ferguson or Wenger or Hiddink) need to be consulted to know that, if Messi was available, he is a must-have? The acquisition of some players does not require discussion about how they’d fit in – they are so superior, any manager anywhere would want them. Ronaldo, Neymar, Iniesta… these are not players you fit into a team – you build a team around them. The discussion is only who makes way for them, not whether there’s room. If the club bought any of the above players even before the new manager was appointed, there would be no complaints (or at least, there shouldn’t be).
Should a club buy Ronaldo in preference to Neymar or Messi? Should the manager should make the decision? A nonsense of course – if ONE of them comes available it’s the chance of a lifetime. You don’t wait for one of the others to “maybe” come on the market. These guys don’t grow on trees!
Very wise words Sir Cecil and of course quite true and the same could be said of Torres when he came; who would or could have said no at the time? So you are correct, Neymar appears to have the potential to be a no brainer signing if it can happen; it will however be very interesting to see how Mr AVB fits the jigsaw together and makes it tick to the tune of providing ammunition to the likes of Torres. It’s often the less stellar signings that truly reflect the managers ability if the team succeeds. Exciting times, stellar or no.
he shudnt let lampard go!! so what if he’s old he still has a gr8 presense on the field and he’s a role model for most of the players. dont let him leave!
Let lamp go,he is a legend.he will always be remembered for his good works.age is no more in his side.his passin accuracy and shot power has reduced seriously.we need a younger replacement.for didier,i suggest he shold go also.and 1 more thing,we need a goal keeper to support our wonderful cech.hulk,neymar,moutinho should be gotten by all means.let ashley go if he wants to and bring us coentrao.falcao is also needed.kalou,malouda,anelka,ferreira,essien should all go.
U r just perfect, Bamidele; very correct. That’s the next perfect Chelsea winning team.
Bosingwa was bought by Scolari and not Mourinho.
Pls let lukaku & falcao & moutinho & thiago alcantara & javier pastore & sergio ramos & sanchez & modric & coentrao & hulk & aguero & sissoko & den will need keeper to help peter Cech & eto’o come to chelsea pls BABA OLOWO ABRAMOVICH & ANDRE VILLAS BOAS UP CHELSEA
u’d always talk about epl experience,saying dat neymar,falcao lack it. Pls stop using dat anymore. Did chicharito got d xperience before he joined utd having scored crucial 20 goals? 4 God’s sake get this guys-modric,turan,neymar and falcao.
I believe Torres’ epl experience could nt save him from flop he’s got in. And stop discouraging chelsea fc
I’ve been watching Sanchez and Neymar videos. Their styles are very different. Sanchez is more physical; he has quick feet, good dribbling, and scrambles and regains his balance a lot. Which reminds me of Messi, but with Messi it’s more effective because he bounces up quicker. Sanchez’s combination of quick feet and persistence enables him to break through defences. He works hard and also packs power into his shots. Neymar is fast, smooth and deceptive. He reminds me of a more gifted version of Giggs. He keeps sending opponents the wrong way – which is very entertaining. The speed of his dribbling makes it hard for players to stay with him. But what really sets Neymar apart is the accuracy of his shots on goal. He skims the inside of the posts time and again from every sort of angle. He is never hurried; rushing defenders are side-stepped; the final shot is cool and clinical. My overall impression of the two players is that Neymar is a bigger natural talent. Sanchez is already showing most of what he’s got. Neymar still oozes untapped ability. I hope Chelsea taps it.
Roman wonce said he wants sexy football and linking the meaning of sexy football to our targets, it means signing Neymar,Hulk, modric atlist.and there u play sexy football.
and cole want to go i believe coentrao and our kid Patrick can do the job.
does not look like
as we have bought know one
which is the same as usuall
i want chelsea to buy many players that will help them to the eng premier leg and uefa