A review of Chelsea’s transfer window activity, including a predicted first choice XI under Mourinho for the coming season.
CHELSEA
IN: Andre Schurrle (£18m, Bayer Leverkusen), Marco van Ginkel (£8m, Vitesse Arnhem), Mark Schwarzer (free, Fulham), Cristian Cuevas (undisclosed, O’Higgins), Willian (£32m, Anzhi), Samuel Eto’o (free, Anzhi Makhachkala), Christian Atsu (£3m, Porto).
OUT: Amin Affane, Yossi Benayoun, Abdul Deen-Conteh, Paulo Ferreira, Archange Nkumu (all released), Ross Turnbull (free, Doncaster), Thibaut Cortois (loan, Atletico Madrid), George Saville (loan, Brentford), Todd Kane (loan, Blackburn), Jeffrey Bruma (£2.5m, PSV), Marko Marin (loan, Seville), Patrick Bamford (loan, MK Dons), Patrick van Aanholt (loan, Vitesse Arnhem), Matej Delac (loan, Vojvodina), Billy Clifford (loan, Yeovil), Oriol Romeu (loan, Valencia), Milan Lalkovic (loan, Walsall), Daniel Pappoe (loan, Colchester), Florent Malouda (free, Trabzonspor), Sam Walker (loan, Colchester), Gael Kakuta (loan, Vitesse Arnhem), Thorgan Hazard (loan, Zulte Waregem), Cristian Cuevas (loan, Vitesse Arnhem), Wallace (loan, Inter Milan), Christian Atsu (loan, Vitesse Arnhem), Victor Moses (loan, Liverpool), Sam Hutchinson (loan, Vitesse Arnhem), Romelu Lukaku (loan, Everton).
Analysis:
Chelsea made some intriguing moves in the summer transfer window.
Deals for Andre Schurrle, Marco van Ginkel and Mark Schwarzer were done early, whilst Cristian Cuevas, Willian, Samuel Eto’o and Christian Atsu joined later.
The Schurrle and Willian signings were slightly confusing, with the Blues already well stocked in attacking midfield, but the German’s ability to play up front as well justifies his signing.
However, Mourinho does not seem to be a huge fan of Juan Mata, who was the club’s player’s player of the year in each of the last two seasons.
Jose Mourinho mischievously gazumped Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Willian though, and it is expected that the Brazilian will head the club’s attacking three behind a striker.
Oscar and Eden Hazard appear to be first choice alongside him, with Schurrle currently either a starting striker or backup wide forward.
Mark Schwarzer is unlikely to feature unless Petr Cech is injured, but could achieve his dream of UEFA Champions League football at the ripe old age of 40.
However, whilst the 32 year-old Samuel Eto’o ought to be a great addition up front, Jose Mourinho’s top target for the summer was Wayne Rooney of Manchester United, and he failed to sign him.
With that in mind, it is tricky to evaluate Chelsea’s success over the summer – especially with no blockbuster name like Ozil at Arsenal.
Window rating: 7/10.
Possible line-up:
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