Chelsea Trasfer Rumors: 5 Reasons Pepe Would Be a Bad Signing for Chelsea

Today crunchsports.com reported that Chelsea are ready to make an offer for Real Madrid center back Pepe. They reportedly are looking to offer him $7 million contract—about one-and-a-half million more than Los Blancos.

Signing a high profile player from such a storied club sounds like a good thing for a team looking to improve, but in the case of Pepe there are a few red flags that Chelsea should take note of before completing a deal.

1. Lack of Success

For someone who has played at a major club like Real Madrid for the past three seasons, his trophy shelf is remarkably barren. They won La Liga once in his first season (2007-08) and the Copa del Rey this past one.

Even in his La Liga year he was not the focus of praise on a back line that let in only 36 goals. Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro and Marcello supported him and the entire defense was anchored by the league's keeper of the year, Iker Casillas. The current center backs at Stamford bridge have more trophies in their past three seasons than Pepe.

Chelsea is attempting to construct a team that will win now and for the future. It does not make sense to bring a player in that just does not have that pedigree. And with his age there is not much time left for him to make that nature a part of his game.

2. His Best Years Are Behind Him

Apart from his current lack of silverware, his general play has declined in the past few seasons.

He was bought by Madrid in July 2007 for €30 million from Porto. Exact figures for a transfer fee have not yet been established as contract talks between the center back and Madrid are still taking place, but the board has already made it clear that they are not willing to budge on their €4 million a year extension.

This suggests that they do not see much potential for growth from the player and that what they have gotten is at best what they will continue to get.

Nearly all the other transfer targets Chelsea has their sights on are very young players looking to make their first move to big time clubs. It would seem illogical to waste money on someone who is on the other side of the hill.

3. Where Will He Play?

If Villa-Boas were to bring Pepe in he would be a major signing and get a lot of press. The price paid for him would not be astronomical, but would nonetheless warrant him to get some playing time, but the question would be where.

The center backs right now, John Terry and David Luiz, played very well together. Even Branislav Ivanovich and Alex who played alongside Terry before the arrival of Luiz have proven themselves more than capable. It is really difficult to see how he could replace any of those players on the field or even the bench. He may honestly come in and be fighting to be the third string center back.

Pepe does have experience playing a defensive midfield role, but even there if Essien can remain healthy and regain his form he will always be the first choice.

The thought of bringing in Pepe to replace any of the players I listed above has the potential  to be a PR nightmare. Every one of those players is adored by the fans at Stamford Bridge. If Pepe were to come and earn a place in the starting line up he will only be able to retain it with inch-perfect play, something he has not done as of late.

4. Too Many Cards

In the first-leg of the Champions League semifinal this past season, Pepe was sent off for a controversial tackle on Barcelona's Dani Alves. Though replays would show that he had made barely any contact with the Brazilian, he still received a straight red card because of his reputation.

He is notorious for going into players recklessly and earning card after card. It often isn't malicious play, but at times can be, especially when his frustration begins to grow.

Playing in Spain the referees seem to protect the players a little bit more, but the tackles he makes are even rough for the English game. The flow of Spanish sides actually was better suited for him as he often did not play physical with them.

Coming to England, he will be involved in much more one on one defending and have more contact with the players throughout the game. It is a recipe that could see him accruing a good amount of bookings.

5. Dirty Player

If you go to Pepe's wikipedia page you will find that in his short tenure at Madrid he has had two major altercations. The first in the locker room with a teammate and the second in a game against Getafe. I know wikipedia isn't the best source of information, but on a site that is suppose to point at your career highlights, that is an interesting fact.

Pepe is a good player, but sometimes his intensity gets the best of him and over comes his good sense. Fights in the locker room and public incidents are not going to go over well at Stamford Bridge.

For all the issues Chelsea has had over the past few years they have not had many on field altercations. Tempers have flared in intense matches, but other than Drogba's incident in the 2008 Champions League final there has not been really anything of consequence.

In a league where mouthing the F-word into the camera got Wayne Rooney a two match ban and his manager a five match ban for defending him, it would be awful to pay for a player to serve sentences because he has a short fuse.

This is all not to suggest that Pepe is the worst defender to ever lace up a pair of cleats. Just that a move to Stamford Bridge would not be good for him or the club. If you think Pepe would be a great signing please start a discussion why. I am always open for debate!