The summer transfer window is already in full bloom even though it is yet to officially begin. Clubs all over the continent are fighting tooth and nail for the top talent available on the market as they look to bolster their squad for the coming season.
We take a look at Premier League champions Chelsea as they look to defend their crown and some world class players that would help them mount a credible title challenge as well as dominate Europe.
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5. Asmir Begovic
With Petr Cech on the verge of signing for Arsenal, Chelsea need another goalkeeper that could provide good cover if Thibaut Courtois gets injured. Asmir Begovic could do just that. He’s been an excellent performer for Stoke City all these years but with Mark Hughes dropping him for three matches in May last season, his future at the club is in doubt.
4. Charlie Austin
So far the 25-year-old’s career has been nothing short of a fairy tale. He has made his way up from the non-league sides to the championship at QPR and played for them in the Premier League last season, scoring 18 goals in 35 appearances. He’s an intelligent striker who positions himself extremely well in the box and doesn’t shy away from taking breathtaking shots at goal. His skills of improvisation are amazing which also led to one of the goal of the season contenders against Southampton last season.
As QPR were relegated , the player doesn’t want to take a step down after being such a hit in the Premier League and could well be on the move.
3. Raphael Varane
Arguably Europe’s most promising young talent, Varane has all the attributes needed to become the best center back in the game. He’s strong, quick, comfortable on the ball, times his tackles and interceptions to perfection and is good in the air. The 22-year-old has many major clubs in Europe after him. At the moment, Chelsea have a perfect pair of center backs in Gary Cahill and John Terry, but Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of the French international after giving him his chance at Real Madrid.
Varane would love to work with Mourinho again but Real Madrid would not let such a promising player leave the club easily.
2. Antoine Griezmann
Another France international on the list, Antoine Griezmann has been turning some heads in the Spanish League. Even though only 24 years old, he is an immensely versatile player. He usually plays on the left side of midfield for Atletico but has played as a secondary striker on a number of occasions and has also played as a lone striker for his former club Real Sociedad. The pacey winger is also adept at beating his man to deliver in dangerous crosses. An intelligent player having impressive control and strong technical ability, he is a force to be reckoned with.
With only one season under his belt at his new club Atletico Madrid, it would take strong persuasion from Chelsea to get him to sign that dotted line. But since Chelsea have been linked with him on a number of occasions, the scenario can change and time is on Chelsea’s side.
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1. Paul Pogba
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The man of the moment. The player every club is fighting for and rightly so. Paul Pogba is easily the best young talent in Europe right now. One of the best central midfielders in the game right now, Pogba is the complete midfielder and still only 22 years old. Being a defensive midfielder, you are not particularly known for your shooting skills but Pogba has been delivering screamers time and time again. His tall frame increases his reach and is one of the best tacklers in the game. Mourinho is known to get the best out of a player and would help Pogba achieve new heights by helping him become an even better player than he is already.
His transfer alone could galvanize Chelsea ahead of their title defense next season and would add immense talent to an already world class Chelsea squad. With Mikel looking to leave, Chelsea could look to Paul Pogba as his replacement but he would definitely be a lot more than that.