With the end of the season nearing us, players and managers are linked with moves daily, and with Roman Abramovich keen to give his new manager a licence to overhaul the current squad, then have been linked with a host of players from all over the globe.I am going to have a look at the rumours that are scoured all over the web and in the papers, and give an opinion to how likely they are.
Following Barcelonas elimination from the Champions League, and Pep Guardiolas impending resignation, the Catalan giants look set for a squad revamp of their own, and defender Dani Alves is one set to leave the club this summer.
Chelsea have struggled in the right-back department, Ivanovic has always been more of a centre back, and Bosingwa has failed to impress since his move to the Bridge. It is one of the main areas of the team that needs looking at, with the defensive trio of Terry-Cahill-Cole needing an improved fourth member.
Need For Position: 8/10
Probability of Signing: 7/10
Attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa has also been in the papers recently, with both Chelsea and Man Utd reportedly keen on the 23 year old, especially due to the fact his contract runs out next year, and he has stated his intention of leaving Dortmund, after rejecting an improved offer from them recently.
Their coach Jurgen Klopp seems to already have accepted his star player will be leaving, telling the German magazine Kicker “If Shinji leaves, life goes on. After all, its not like we had planned on playing an identical line-up for the next 25 years”
All depending on what Chelsea decide to do formation-wise next season, Shinji could fit in well. If they do stick with the 4-3-3, two wingers, then he might be a bit too attacking to sit in the middle, while not possessing the best traits to fit in on the wing, although behind the striker is somewhere the Japanese internation can play.
Need For Position: 6/10
Probability of Signing: 5/10
The Blues have been linked with a host of strikers, and Real Madrid certainly have an abundance of them. Gonzalo Higuain is the latest name to be linked with the Londoners. Despite Drogbas heroics at the back end of this season, he is expected to leave in the summer, or at least play a smaller role than that in previous seasons.
Fernando Torres also needs a striker to take the pressure of the him next season, as I believe that is when the Blues will see his full potential appear. The Argentinean is rumoured to be worth around £35m to Madrid, and Chelsea would have no qualms paying that, after shelling out £15m more than that on El Nino.
High-flying Manchester City are also believed to be keen, should they release one of their frontmen, but will Madrid wanting Aguero in return, that could cool down that deal significantly.
Need For Position: 9/10
Probability of Signing: 7/10
The scouts from Stamford Bridge were busy this weekend as they were sent to Benfica to reportedly keep tabs on midfielder Javi Garcia, who is highly rated in Europe, and could be a possible target this summer.
Although Benfica are not wanting to sell, a big of around £25m would see them admit defeat in the battle, and as the man can play centre-back as well as centre-midfielder, he is someone that should be high on Chelseas shopping list, especially with Essien and Lampard ageing, the 25 year old Garcia could be pivotal for their future, should Chelsea bid for him.
Ramires has had a great season, so has Lampard, but with Essiens season taking a massive blow, and with Meireles and Benayoun not impressing in blue shirts, they could well sign a player of Garcias mould this summer.
Need For Position: 7/10
Probability in Signing: 7/10
Chelsea are set for changes off the pitch as well as on it, and before Roberto Di Matteo’s fabulous run, many managers were linked with the post, including the side he outclassed in the Champions League semi-final, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Guardiola recently told the footballing world that he would be leaving Barca at the end of the season, to take time of the game, but few would bet against Roman offering the man a huge deal to come to Chelsea next year.
However, Di Matteo should have done enough to earn the role by now, turning the season on its head, and providing the most unlikely of scenarios for the final few games.
Need For Position: 9/10
Probability of Signing: 2/10
There are sure to be hundreds of players linked with a move to the Bridge in the coming weeks, and ill do my best to make sure you don’t miss one rumour, or signing If there is a player out there you think Chelsea should sign, or really want them to, let our editor know, either on Twitter or on the Facebook group, and you could see an article reviewing him very soon.
By Brad Smith