Chelsea have always boasted a strong midfield in the Abrahimovic era from the likes of Makelele, Lampard and now Fabregas. But the last season proved to be a disaster and one of the main reasons for it was that the blues midfield which won them the title in the 14-15 season was found out. Nemanja Matic was the star performers in the title winning season, but saw a dip in form from which he didn’t recover throughout the season.
Chelsea’s midfield lacked spark, that creative outlet that will create a chance out of nothing and turn the game on its head. Fabregas regained his last form in the last few months of the season but until that the campaign was all over for the blues. Mikel played a lot under Guus Hiddink, but he is just not at the level that the blues need for the new campaign. Ruben Loftus-Cheek impressed but the blues need solid additions to the squad ahead of the tough season and a new era ahead with Antonio Conte.
The one name which is almost finalized to join the team after the Euros is AS Roma’s midfield general, Radja Nainggolan. He will bring the much needed stability that is needed the most for the blues. Another name that is being rumoured is his teammate, Miralem Pjanic. Pjanic has been a long term target for Chelsea and is said to be willing to ply his trade at Stamford Bridge. A fee of £31 million is quoted by his club, Roma for signing the creative midfielder and that should not be a worry for the blues.
Pjanic can be a perfect player under Conte and the Italian’s favoured formations 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 both suit the 26 year old. For the 3-5-2 formation, he can play as a no.10 behind the two strikers and in the 4-3-3, he and Fabregas can play alongside the holding midfielder, Nainggolan. Both Pjanic and Fabregas have similar traits and if played well together, they can create havoc for the opponents. With 14 goals and 13 assists to his name in the season gone by, Chelsea can sign a player who is in his prime and has many years left in him.
Pjanic is also one of the best free kick takers in Europe and has proved his dead ball skills time and again. His passing is exemplary at times and has improved his finishing resulting in his best season of his career. Pjanic is said to collect a lot of unnecessary bookings and has to be disciplined which can be done under the strict Conte. The blues should secure his services quickly and are in dire need of a midfielder with Mikel and Matic set to leave the club. Miralem Pjanic can become one of the best midfielders in Europe under Antonio Conte and it should happen at Stamford Bridge.