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There are some reports in certain newspapers that you read and just think "rubbish" but when one of the more reputable newspapers publishes a story you have to sit up and take notice. The Telegraph has published an article stating that Chelsea are interested in signing Paul Pogba from Juventus at a cost of around £74m but the Italian side would want Oscar and Ramires in return.
It's not the first time this week that Oscar has been linked with a move to the Italian side. Considered a prime target for Juventus, it now seems that there are just as interested in our workhorse Ramires and I wonder how Jose Mourinho would react to the news?
So what of Pogba?
First and foremost, £74m is a hell of a lot of money and that's what Pogba's agent is quoting for the 23 year old. You could buy at least two or three class players for that money and I would be very surprised if the boss decided to replace two of his Brazilian contingent for just the one replacement.
Granted, Pogba is a class act who's reputation seems to grow as time goes by. We had already been linked with a move for him back in the summer last year but nothing came about so there does seem to be some sort of interest from Chelsea.
How can we forget the images we had seen last summer of him managing the Chelsea side on Football Manager with him in the team! Whether or not that's just as an enquiry over his availability or to register their interest should Juventus be willing to sell is yet to be seen.
Ramires - too valuable to the manager?
As I have said, I have my say on a possible move for Oscar here, but now Ramires is also being linked so what do you think of their interest in our hard working Brazilian?
I personally believe that Ramires is more valuable to Mourinho than Oscar. Think about it for a second, Chelsea have more than their fair share of flair players and as I said in the Oscar article, he is the one that is often replaced during games or dropped to the bench compared to others around him in those attacking areas.
After Ramires had his struggles this season with injury, the manager made a point of stating that "We have our Ramires back!" when he was able to return to full training as he knows just how important he is to his squad.
Willing to literally play and do a job anywhere, Ramires is more valuable than others. His stamina levels coupled with his willingness to get around the pitch is something the manager admires and relies on within the framework of his team.
In addition, as we have seen many times from him, Ramires can pop up in advanced positions and score every possible type of goals. Just look at his chip over Valdes at the Nou Camp as one example it was sublime at a crucial moment in the game.
How much is Oscar & Ramires worth individually/combined?
I guess that Chelsea need to ask themselves the question as to how much they value Oscar and Ramires as individuals and again collectively. The Telegraph report states that Juventus WOULD use the Pogba money to fund the two signings.
Both are young and have the best years of their careers ahead of them. The length of their contracts would come into play here also and Chelsea would require an acceptable level of compensation.
Do we think that combined they would be worth around the same figure or at least close to that we have been "quoted" of Pogba? Do you think that Chelsea could afford to lose both of them?
Possible repercussions
As I have said previously, £74m is a lot of money despite clawing a fair amount back if we sold both in return for Pogba. I personally believe it would leave us short in midfield.
For that amount of money, you would have to accept that Pogba WILL start games because it's pointless leaving him on the bench if you invest that much. Could that force Jose Mourinho into a change of approach with Matic and Pogba lining up next to each other in the heart of our midfield with Mikel as the only defensive midfield cover?
Of course we would have an option to push Cesc Fabregas forward into an attacking area but we have seen that he is far better playing deeper so I am not so sure that would work. Could it be beneficial for Fabregas and Pogba to play alongside Matic in the old 4-3-3 formation instead?
