At Chelsea News we are asking our writers who they think Chelsea should sign for the upcoming season? So far Chelsea have completed the signings of Asmir Begovic from Stoke and a season long loan for Radamel Falcao from Monaco.
However Chelsea need 1 or maybe 2 more signings to strengthen the squad in order for us to retain our title with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United; two title rivals, both spending heavily in the last few days.
Right, I am going to kick things off!
Daniel Vernon @danvernon
1) I would be very happy with Pedro, obviously Reus and Bale are big names we have been linked with in the past and Isco’s name has been thrown around more recently – but realistically Pedro will improve our squad. My main worry is what happens with Oscar. Willian stepped up last year, and I am ignoring stats because what I saw of Willian consistently on the pitch was exactly what we needed. I know Hazard takes all the plaudits but Willian worked his socks off. Oscar need a big big year, I have no idea why we don’t play him out on the right for a run of games, he plays so well there for Brazil and Willian has really impressed in the number 10 role.
2) Varane, we have to sign an impressive CB. Cahill is fine, but without Terry I am not sure. Zouma looks like an incredible talent and if we put Varane next to him, we have the French national team’s CB pairing for the next 10 years.
3) Jose. Jose. Jose. We have to wrap him up for the foreseeable future, and as we reported it looks close. I don’t see anyone taking his place, we tried replacing him and the only mentions that came close were Hiddink and Di Matteo (Obviously because of the CL and the relationship he had with the players, was maybe just too inexperienced to take this team to the top of the summit on all fronts).
Scott Parsons @Chelsea_HQ
1) One player we’re heavily linked with at the moment is Barcelona forward Pedro, a player I would welcome with open arms. He’s quick, hard-working and capable of scoring goals.
Similar to Alexis Sanchez, I think people will realise what a fantastic footballer he is once he leaves his boyhood club.
Would he get into our team straight away? Probably not, but he has a better chance of winning a place at Chelsea than he currently has at the Nou Camp, where it’s impossible to displace the likes of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
2) We recently brought back Bertrand Traore from his loan at Vitesse and having sorted out a work permit for the young Burkinabe, I’m confident he will have a role to play at Chelsea next season.
While most of our loanees will most likely end up being sold in a couple of years, I do believe he is the most talented youngster we currently have at the club.
During his two seasons in the Netherlands, he scored 21 goals which is a more than decent return for such a young player.
3) I also think Oscar, who has been at Chelsea for three years, will have a massive impact
Having missed the Copa America through injury, the Brazilian finally got a rest during the summer and will have a full pre-season with his team mates in North America.
Oscar still has the potential to become one of Europe’s top midfielders, but he needs to prove his worth to Jose Mourinho and the fans next season.
Rory Jennings @chelsearory
1) Bale. In a dreamland the player I would like to see at Chelsea is Gareth Bale. I truly believe that his presence on the left wing would win us the league. Realistically, Pedro will be a huge coup. Any suggestion about him being a Barca reject is embarrassing. Would be a huge asset. I would also like to see John Stones come in. Learning from the likes of Cahill and Terry would be huge for his and our future.
2) Promoting from youth? For me its Bamford. Get him in the squad, he is such a natural finisher. Get him training and learning from the likes of Costa and Remy asap.
3) I think Begovic and Falcao are both excellent signings. Falcao as our 3rd choice is a better third choice than DD. Begovic is probably the best Number 2 in the league.
Tom Webb @MaestroMourinho
1) I feel Varane would be a massive signing for Chelsea. He looks unbelievable for his age and I believe he will keep getting better. A partnership with him and Zouma or Cahill has potential to be a rock solid central defence. With Terry retiring in probably 2-3 years, Varane would be an excellent player to try and fill the gap.
2) Isco. I much prefer Fabregas playing deeper in midfield therefore I think we should sign another central attacking midfielder rather than Fabregas sometimes playing there. Oscar is a good talent but I feel better competition for his place would be great. Isco would fill that role perfectly. I believe he would fit right in at Chelsea due to his quality and Spanish connections.
3) I would be happy if Chelsea signed Raul Garcia because he would be a good backup for Oscar. I also feel Mourinho could get the best out of Garcia and I think he would play well with our players. I can’t imagine him costing a lot either which is another bonus. He would provide competition for Oscar and I don’t think it would be too hard to get him.
Oliver Birch @OliBirch1
1) Isco would be a brilliant signing for us. His first touch is absolutely incredible and he has the ability to add that little bit more creativity in the midfield that Oscar occasionally lacks. Fabregas also tailed off slightly towards the end of the season but I think the addition of Isco would lift the pressure of him in terms of creating chances and goals; and our midfield would ooze class with those two on their game. Tough choice between Isco and Pedro, but Isco is a player I’ve always admired so I’d love to sign him.
2) Loftus-Cheek deserves his chance for me, he’s too good to be playing another season at youth level. After the demolishing Swansea at The Liberty Stadium last season we started to look fatigued, and Loftus-Cheek has the youth and ability to lift the team during those stages of the season. He would add a more physical presence to the midfield alongside Matic, and he keeps the ball brilliantly. I like the look of Witsel as well, but it’s time we put a little bit of faith in youth and give Loftus-Cheek a chance.
3) I was skeptical when we were first linked with Falcao, but I just have a feeling that he’ll be a brilliant player for us. I don’t expect him to play week in week out, especially if Costa plays as well as he did last season, but Falcao, alongside Remy, has the ability to come on and win games for us in those crucial periods in the season.
Bob Duke
1) Dominic Solanke, he’s a quality young player. He has that magic combination of confidence, balance and technique which could help him to become a star at Chelsea.
2) Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a fantastic physical presence and obvious technical ability. Should be given a chance this season to see if he can cut it at the top level.
3) Pedro, Of the players we’re currently being linked with, Pedro is probably the most exciting. His arrival would increase competition in attacking midfield and on the wings. Also, he may reach new levels at Chelsea if he manages to establish himself as a first choice pick.
Moagi Tladinyane
1) Varane. Mainly because he’s a young solid centre back, had worked with Mourinho and has loads of talent. Mourinho is also a fan, which is always a help, and him and Zouma are the future of France, so they’d develop great chemistry which we’ve often seen between our two English centre halves.
2) Pedro. Mourinho has said he’s not aiming to add first teamers, but rather squad players and Pedro is the perfect squad and Mourinho player.
He works hard, and is a proven goal scorer. Seems a Mourinho player in his ethic and ability and would surely add more goals to the squad, which we have struggled for in squad players. He gives us a good alternative out wide, and is obviously technically solid given he’s played for Barcelona.
3) Alaba. Probably a surprise for most fans, but I’d love to have Alaba. He’s good technically, has a winning mentality having played for bayern and is hardly ever injured. Furthermore, he’s probably the most versatile footballer in football today. He would give us great cover at left back, can operate in the middle, or even out wide in games we try to shut out. Works hard and is good technically, would love the Austrian at the bridge!
Evan McMurtrie @evanmcmurtrie
1) Asmir Begovic was the first thing we needed after Cech’s departure. Now, just like last season, we have two very good goalkeepers – something that Mourinho said was instrumental in helping us lift the title.
3) I don’t think our squad needs much strengthening. After my first two picks, I don’t think we need much more. But a dream of mine, that will never happen, is to have Gareth Bale on our right wing. He and Hazard on the wings, Oscar in the middle, and Diego up front would just be spectacular. I’d splash tons of cash on the Welshman, get rid of Cuadrado, and proceed to have the best attack in the country. Let’s spend money in the right areas and we can make the most out of our funds.
Nebi Ismani @nebiismani
1) Griezmann, because he is a goalscoring midfielder and that’s what we miss.
2) Falcao: I think he will find his old form, and that will push Costa to work even more and that will bring us more goals.
3) Oscar: He isn’t a new signing but it will be like he is a new signing because we’ll see a different Oscar than we saw in the last 2 seasons. I think he will have an amazing season and he will be THE key for our success.
Nelson Campos @Nelsonsw7
1) Well I think the first name that comes to my mind, is Falcao. The guy has had a very bad season at Manchester United and has been written off by so many people. Failing to adapt to a new club throughout one season, doesn’t mean he hasn’t got any potential.. Should Cuadrado stay, they will help and motivate each other to perform at the highest level and give back. I’m confident he will help us achieve a lot next season.
2) The second name, would be Charlie Austin. I think we should sign him. The guy has turned professional at Swindon in 2009 and made his way up to QPR who played in BPL. He helped them secure top flight via play off. I think he is being chased by Leicester and Spurs, but he would be a great acquisition for us. and I would also promote signing of English players.. We tend to think, English players aren’t as good as foreign players, but I think we should at least sign on English player.
3) The third player for me would be Loftus Cheek. The guy is only 19 years of age, has trained with the Senior squad and played Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon or Maribor if I recall.. Mourinho really likes him. He is good player and he is very tall which is very efficient in the Premier League. He may be on his way to Fiorentina to spend the season on loan, but should he stay, we should give him more attention.. In two or three years time, he can cause a lot of trouble for the opponent.
Trust Mutemasango
1) Pedro he has a wealth of experience and has represented Spain at the world cup. He can play on either flank and can play as a striker. He has brilliant technique and he is 27 Chelsea can get a good 5 years from such a player.
2) Ryan Bertrand has shown the EPL that he is probably one of the best left backs in the league Competition is good. Cesar can switch back to right back to challenge Ivanovich. He is also British and there are strict quotas been introduced.
3) Lukaku the young man is finding the back off the net on a regular basis for Everton he is a big he is young Drogba was not as good as Lukaku at his age. He has the wrong attitude though Chelsea is a big club expect competition Expect Benzema to walk in the changing room or Tevez or Suarez the only way to keep your positon is to work hard very hard and score. He didn’t seem to want this and wanted to be guaranteed first team football. But Jose did not like his attitude I wish he fixed his attitude and kept him.
The question now is, who do you think Chelsea should sign?
