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London based club Chelsea FC have dived into the transfer pond once again. There is an air of positivity surrounding the Bridge recently; a stark contrast to the emotions that surrounded it at the start of the summer transfer window. The main reasons for this sense of reassurance comes from facts such as – Di Matteo’s return to the English capital, a long holiday for their misfiring striker Fernando Torres, and most importantly Villas Boas (Europe’s most efficient manager last season) appointment as Ancelotti’s successor. With this new found vigour, Roman looks set to be splashing out for two new players. Barcelona‘s youth prospect Gael Etock and Palermo’s superstar Javier Pastore.
Pastore: CFC's newest target.
Starting off with the Argentine international, Pastore. He has been under the radar of big clubs all across Europe for quite a long time. Ever since he moved out of Huracan and into the Serie A, Pastore has been linked with a good amount of teams. The likes of Man Utd, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Internazionale have been keeping regular tabs on the young attacker. And Maurizio Zamparini has now revealed that we may add Chelsea FC’s name to the list of suitors. The South American first grabbed attention when he teamed up with fellow wonder-kid De Federico in a hugely successful season at Huracan. Since then he moved to Palermo and put in another impressive term last year, which resulted in a significant increase of interest regarding him among Europe’s elites. Zamparini said, “I am a businessman and I will not lose my cool, but it is clear that clubs who want Pastore must have the economic power to submit a proposal. Chelsea are one of the clubs concerned”. Whether a concrete offer has been made is yet undisclosed. Abramovic will have to fight away a lot of big names to secure Pastore’s signature. Yet, due to the Russian’s financial solvency, we might just get to see Javier donning a blue jersey next season.
Gael Etock: On his way to Chelsea.
Next comes Cameroonian wiz-kid Gael Etock. The youngster was a student in Barcelona’s prestigious youth academy, La Masia. Etock seems destined to leave the academy after five years of nurturing. He is rated quite high among the coaches and backroom staff, who have earmarked him as one of their brightest prospects. According to AS, terms have already been agreed upon by both parties (FCB and CFC). And as soon as he turns eighteen, he would register as a Chelsea player. It is also reported that following his move to the London club, he will immediately be loaned out to Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon. After a year in Portugal, he will return to the Bridge as a full time Chelsea player. Gael arrived at the Catalan capital at the tender age of twelve. He was among the children who made it to La Masia due to the good work put in by the Eto’o Foundation. Since then he has grown both in ability and temperament, with many of his trainers expecting him to be a huge success at the club. Yet as of now the youngster is heading to England to carry on with his career.
That’s it for now. Chelsea look keen on injecting youth in an ageing squad. 184 players have been linked with the club since the opening of the transfer window. And if they manage to secure even a small percentage of those deals, then the next season will be interesting indeed.
