Chelsea’s German midfielder Marko Marin celebrates after scoring Chelsea’s fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wigan Athletic
Stamford Bridge’s forgotten man, Marko Marin has spoken about his Chelsea future with the Premier League side admitting he is unsure where it lies.
On-loan at Sevilla, Marin said: “Sevilla would like to keep me here, but there are also signals from England that they [Chelsea] want me to return.”
At first glance, many Chelsea fans could be excused for refusing to believe that the Blues are considering keeping the German in the summer, rather than offload him on-loan, again, or on a permanent transfer.
However, when dissecting through Chelsea’s fortunes this season and how Marin has enjoyed his season with the Europa League finalists, there is enough scope to discuss his future with the west London outfit.
The German is a neat footballer, one of the many reasons he was brought to Chelsea in the first place. He has the seventh highest pass accuracy in the whole Sevilla squad this season, boasting an impressive 85%, considering he attempts a high frequency of risky passes in the final third.
He has played 17 games in the Spanish league this campaign and that has helped his development. The German has created 18 chances in those 17 games he has played, including four assists, the sixth highest in the entire Sevilla squad, more impressive considering his relative lack of game time.
His European pedigree has come to the fore in a season where Chelsea struggled with so many cup-tied players, Marin could have provided a solution. He has played nine games in the Europa League this campaign, helping his side reach the final by creating seven chances, which included two assists, making him joint-fifth in that category in the Sevilla side.
Chelsea have no shortage of competitiveness in midfield. They boast a fine selection of the finest wingers in Eden Hazard, Willian, Mohamed Salah and Andre Schurrle. The plethora of talent is most certainly there, but what Mourinho likes to captivate in a player is the defensive responsibilities. It is not pretty, but it is effective and perhaps Marin is not the solution in that respect.
He has the worst Squawka Defensive Score (-35) between himself, Mohamed Salah (49), Eden Hazard (171), Willian (-9) and Andre Schurrle (23). But, the former Werder Bremen man does compete well in other departments.
Marin’s pass completion rate of 85% is only bettered by Brazilian star, Willian. Marin has a touch of class to him and he is adventurous, but unfortunately could not showcase that during his move to Chelsea.
He has completed 20 take ons at a success rate of 40%, not a mind-blowing amount, but more than Salah (14) and Andre Schurrle (18), particularly impressive due to him playing twelve games less than the former Leverkusen man.
His creativity going forward is exciting and that is proven by his assists. His tally stands at four from seventeen La Liga games, just three behind Hazard’s numbers in the Premier League and more than Willian (2), Schurrle (1) and Salah (1).
He may not be every Chelsea fans cup of tea, but Marin may have something to prove and his performances in Spain indicates that Mourinho should really give the German a chance.
