The Premier League of 2016-17 promises to be its most exciting one yet as most clubs have strengthened their teams with superb players, thanks to the influx of cash due to TV deals.
In the ever-going race of getting better than your opponent, each Premier League outfit must buy in order to maintain their aspirations for the season. Chelsea endured a dismal campaign last season, finishing 10th, but have managed to sign N’Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi.
However, some more additions are required before they could challenge for the title as they are still a little weak in some zones. And here are 5 players they could acquire if they want to be title challengers again…
#1 Diego Lopez
This is almost a done deal. As Asmir Begovic looks set to leave the club, Chelsea would be one short in the goalkeeping department. And what better man to replace him at the club than the one who replaced Iker Casillas as Real Madrid’s number 1 in 2013?
Diego Lopez’s career graph in the last few years could be drawn like a zigzag curve. His rise at Real Madrid was balanced by an equally incredible nosedive at AC Milan were a then 16-year-old Donnarumma replaced him between the sticks.
He now finds himself playing second fiddle to a teenager who shows no signs of declination. Courtois, meanwhile, didn’t have the best of years last season, which leaves Lopez with a chance to provide good competition to the Belgian for the goalkeeper’s throne.
#2 Alvaro Morata
Chelsea might have signed Michy Batshuayi to compete with Diego Costa, but the latter’s poor form last season coupled with the former’s inexperience when it comes to playing for a European superpower leaves things a little unstable for the Blues.
While Alvaro Morata himself might not be a proven striker as of yet, the displays he exuded while playing for Juventus—especially in the big games—is worthy of recognition.
However, with Real Madrid deciding to keep him in the team as Benzema’s understudy, it is almost impossible for the Blues to acquire his services. I would have claimed a Godfatheresque offer to the Blancos could do the trick, but the Galacticos themselves are the biggest family there is out there—the true Godfather.
#3 Leonardo Bonucci
Some eyebrows might be raised after reading his name here since Chelsea already have Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill in their squad. Hence, adding another stupendous defender would be like having too many cooks to prepare the broth.
However, the kind of broth that Antonio Conte prefers needs three central defenders playing in the starting XI.
Once upon a time, Bonucci wasn’t as reliable as he is now. Making errors quite often, many Juventus fan didn’t rate him during the early stages of his career. However, Conte saw through his abilities and decided to use him in the center of the defense in a 3-man backline.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Conte’s preference for a 3-5-2 means that he could do with another centre-half and Bonucci would be the ideal player to play in between Cahill and the left-footed Zouma. However, whether Bonucci would want to come is an entirely different question altogether.
#4 Kalidou Koulibaly
And the one that seems most likely to join Chelsea is the Napoli powerhouse, Kalidou Koulibaly. Rumour has it that he could join the club for a club-record £50 million.
Koulibaly was signed in 2014 by the Naples club. He wasn’t in an instant success, however, as his shaky displays made many wonder whether he would even last for a long time in Italy. The Senegalese international, though, was given a new lease of life under Mauricio Sarri.
Sarri saw the potential in him and tempered it to make him one of the best centre-backs in Serie A.
The reason why Conte is so keen on signing him for such an audacious amount is because of his abilities as a possession-sprayer. He is not only a great defender but is also someone who can keep the tempo of the system ticking from the back—someone like Bonucci.
If Conte is to implement his 3-5-2, a ball-playing centre-back is a must. And Kalidou could be his man.
#5 Mateo Kovacic
This time last year, he was one of the most coveted players in Europe. Inter had to offload one of their star players to balance their books with the FFP. Kovacic had to go and Rafael Benitez, his long-term admirer, moved fastest to acquire his services for Real Madrid.
His career with the Whites started well, but ever since Zinedine Zidane took over, playing time became very hard to come by.
Now, it seems like the Blancos want to sell him and use that cash to fund other transfers. Keeping that in mind, Conte could move for him as his version of a 3-5-2 needs a creative midfielder to work, and Kovacic could be his man.
He might not play as deep as Pirlo or Verratti, but he still provides creativity in a system. With Cesc Fabregas’ form having declined over the last one-and-a-half-years, it would be wise of Antonio Conte to sign a backup.
