Robinho, Torres, Hazard, Falcao and Cavani: History of the Chelsea transfer saga

Now that Chelsea are one of the richest and most successful clubs in the world, we have seen the transfer season turn into a crazy industry of rumour, counter rumour and every player to have an ounce of talent to be linked with Stamford Bridge.

Competing at the top of the game has meant competing to sign the world’s best players and this has led to the emergence of the annual transfer saga.

Every year there is one startlet or superstar that it seems all the top clubs are chasing. As the agents get involved and the bidding war starts, the media works itself into a frenzy. Every media outlet has a source that trades in speculation and hyperbole, stoking the fires and driving the fee ever higher.

Eden Hazard

Last year the player at the centre was Eden Hazard, who had agreements in place with one or two clubs before “picking” Chelsea. I was unimpressed by the saga at the time but when the player turns out to be Eden Hazard, he was more than worth the pre-transfer dance.

If every saga we win turns up a Eden Hazard, then I will be more than happy to endure the anxiety and pain they induce.

Falcao and Cavani

This year there have been two - Radamel Falcao, who left his ambition at the door to join Monaco and Edison Cavani, a battle that rumbles on with no clear winner in sight.

Napoli have set a ridiculously high buy out fee for the player and former dug out man, “the interim one”, and his new club are sticking to their guns on their valuation.

Will Chelsea or Man City meet this buyout? I have no idea but it has certainly kept the press busy.

Remembering Robinho

This phenomenon started in earnest in 2009 with the Robinho affair. Everyone including the player himself seemed to think he was on his way to Stamford Bridge, only for Manchester City to swoop in during the dying minutes of the window and lure him to the Etihad.

Although annoyed at the time, we were the real winners in this first skirmish. Ultimately, Robinho flopped in the Premier League and headed for central Europe, saving the club millions.

Fernando Torres

This is not always the case though. In January 2011, Fernando Torres was subject to a long courtship and at zero hour, Chelsea paid an extortionate £50m for their man which in turn led to Liverpool wasting around £15m of the £30m they paid for panic-buy Andy Carroll.

So, overall, some sagas we have won, sometimes by losing but only time will tell if 2013 will see Chelsea have a successful football silly season.