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Chelsea confirmed their latest signing of Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o from Anzhi Makhachkala a day ago.
It is also believed that the fee was around 2 million pounds, and Eto’o took a huge pay cut of over £10 million to complete his move. But despite all this, there are several reasons why this move could turn out bad for both Chelsea and Eto’o.
1. Eto’o is old
If it isn’t obvious by now, why his fee was so low? It’s because Eto’o is well over 30 and is probably out of his prime. He’s at a stage of his career where he’s lost several key attributes that once made him the most feared striker in Europe.
2. He isn’t the solution to Chelsea’s problems
Jose Mourinho has never been someone who thinks long term. Eto’o signed just a one year contract, and has won almost everything there is to be won as a player.
It is possible that Eto’o could retire at the end of the season and what’s worse, he lacks the hunger or appetite to play for trophies. Wayne Rooney should have been the perfect solution, but a change of heart for the England striker has meant that Chelsea will have to make do with Eto’o, at least for now.
3. Eto’o hasn’t played too many competitive matches
When Eto’o moved to Anzhi Makhachkala, he was subsequently banned from playing for the Cameroon national team for fifteen months, a ban which was later reduced, for whatsoever reasons.
Eto’o also didn’t play in Europe until his second season at Anzhi, when they only qualified for the Europa League.
A player with that kind of meagre experience over the last few years can’t be expected to slot into the XI of a team expecting to win the most competitive league in the world.
4. Eto’o suffers from an ever lasting knee problem
For a player at his age, it is only natural that he suffers from a few niggling injuries. Eto’o’s last days at Inter Milan were spoilt due to this knee problem. And thanks to the increasing physicality of the Barclays Premier League, this could only get worse. Definitely not good news for Chelsea.
5. Strikers don’t particularly excel in Chelsea’s tactics
Do you really think the reason why Torres has flopped since his £50 million move is only his lack of confidence or form? Of course not.
Chelsea’s tactics ensure that the lone striker plays only to hold off the opposition centre halves, and to create space for the 3 attacking midfielders.
While Didier Drogba managed to combine his duties of holding the ball up and score goals by using his physical prowess and strength to score goals, Torres wasn’t quite able to do that. Whether or not Eto’o can manage to do that at this age, remains to be seen.
Despite all this, Eto’o adds some much needed experience to this inexperienced Chelsea side. His winning mentality and ability to make decisions should surely rub off on his teammates.
