Chelsea Transfer Rumors: 3 Players for Each of the Chelsea's 3 Biggest Needs

Since Andre Villa-Boas has arrived as the Chelsea manager, he has been quite passive in transfer market. He feels that the team he has now is talented and skilled enough to implement his system and win trophies.

This does not mean he will not make any moves, but rather they will be small and calculated unlike other managers of big budget clubs.

As an example, his first signing seems to almost be complete in 19-year-old Genk goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois has zero future with the club in the next few years and will probably spend the season back out on loan at Genk. Petr Cech still owns the posts at Stamford Bridge, but a move like this shows Villa-Boas' forward thinking mentality and his plan to stay for years to come.

We can expect more moves this summer but mostly along this line of thought. Attempts to fill positions Chelsea needs, not expensive lavish signings that are unnecessary on an already star-studded squad.

Here are three players for each of the three positions that Chelsea need to add depth to the most.

Right-Back

The right-back position at Chelsea has been a revolving door of sorts with three or four players featuring in the position throughout the last season.

Paulo Ferreria and Jose Bosingwa are the two desginated RBs on the squad, but both of them underwent stretches where their form dipped. Branislav Ivanovich ultimately became the choice RB, but injuries in the central defense forced him to come back to the middle.

The position is not a major pressing issue, but it would help to add some depth and perhaps get a quality player who can command the position for years to come allowing Ivanovich to move back to the middle where he is best.

RB: Gregory Van Der Wiel

Van der Wiel is a natural RB who has proven that he has both the offensive explosion and the defensive presence.

At only 23 years of age he has already made 108 appearances for Ajax and 24 for the Dutch national team, including being the starting right back for six of seven 2010 World Cup games.

He plays almost identically the the man that would be playing his opposite, Ashley Cole. Never afraid to join the attack, he is willing to carry the ball as long as he has room but has the speed to cover back if a counter should go the other way.

He is also known for filling space off the ball. He has scored many goals after passing the ball off the the wing and continuing to cut inside all the way to the box and receive the ball unmarked. To top it off he has an incredible finish for a center-back turned right-back.

The biggest difference he has with Cole is he is not a push and run player. Instead he enjoys keeping the ball much closer and beating defenders with foot work. If his and Luiz were to play on the right side of the defense together, it could produce some fun to watch football.

Coming to Chelsea would fit a role they need to look at but are not desperate to fill. As long as players can remain healthy, Ivanovich will probably probably get the RB start.

But should injuries occur or Alex leave as it has been rumored, they could be looking at a depleted back line.

RB: Aleksandr Anyukov

Anyukov currently plays and captains Zenit St. Petersburg. He has been there since 2005, making himself a fan favorite and one of the most reliable players at the club.

Quietly, he has excelled to become one of the best right backs in the world. He does not have the speed of Sergio Ramos or flash of Dani Alves, but he is a complete player who can get forward and provide a good cross and rarely gets caught out of position.

Anyukov would play very similar to how Ivanovich plays now, which is exactly what Chelsea fans would like to see.

Right now there is no speculation that Chelsea are seeking out the 28-year-old Russian player or that Zenit has an interest in selling their captain.

But when Roman Abramovich is your owner, he has ways of making things in his native country happen.

RB: Maicon

There has been no public links between the Brazilian right back and Chelsea, but he seems to be someone that could fit the role that AVB would like of his defenders.

He is a constant threat to get forward and nerve afraid to play a one-two triangle with the forward and midfield. He has the tendency to lose defenders, cut inside and create offense out of nothing. He also is a top-notch defender.

A testament to how good he is can be seen in this year's Copa America. In the two games that Brazil performed their best Maicon was the starting right back instead of Barcelona's Dani Alves, who many believe is the best in the world.

The only reason that Maicon would appear on this list is the fact that Inter were already accepting to part ways with him. They have offered him to Real Madrid for a reasonable €20 million.

A price like this would seem an acceptable expense worth Chelsea's time to pursue if it could land them one of the best right-backs in the world.

Holding/Central Midfielder

With Michael Essien's early preseason injury, Chelsea are now looking at a central midfield position that is really lacking top quality depth.

They have plenty of players who can occupy the role (Ramires, Zhirkov, and Mikel to name a few), but most of them suit better in a position where they are more comfortable on the outside.

It would provide a tremendous weakness in the lineup that good teams will exploit and play the ball in the middle of the pitch with ease.

It has become the position that will probably get the most attention from AVB during this transfer window. Just one good signing would be enough to ease fears that strong squads will be able to run over Chelsea in the counter game.

CM: Nigel Reo-Coker

Reo-Coker is recently new on the Chelsea transfer watch. After West Ham announced preferred target Scott Parker would only be sold and not loaned out, Aston Villa became the new front-runners after the Blue's backed off.

Instead Chelsea has set their sights on the man who will be displaced at Villa Park.

Reo-Coker is Michale Essien on a lower level. He is a hard tackling box-to-box midfielder who has a good sense of the game. He would serve as a great distributor, making the ever so important first pass from the defense to the offensive front.

Perhaps one of the most influential reasons in seeking this deal is the logistics and practical reasons behind it. As a free agent, Reo-Coker would cost nothing on the transfer fee and his £35,000 per week at Aston Villa could easily be matched.

Also he would be another English "homegrown" player that would help satisfies the FA's rule requiring a minimum of eight to be on the official 25-man roster.

Chelsea currently will not make the rule without the promotion of some academy players to the squad.

CM: Luka Modric

Modric has been the transfer saga of the summer. It has captured the attention of all the major newspapers and headlines as new developments seem to occur on an hourly intervals.

Furthermore, it has been a very public fiasco with Chelsea, Tottenham and Modric all using the media to come out on top.

It is easy to see why the club and fans have all been so adamant to bring the Croatian to Stamford Bridge. He is technically gifted with the ball at his feet, incredibly intelligent in game time decisions and one of the best passers playing today.

He is believed to be the answer to the team's creative woes last season.

The issue holding this transfer up is in White Hart Lane. Spur's boss Harry Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy are well aware of the talent they have and are not going to part ways without a substantial return.

Recent rumors have priced him at around £30 million plus some player exchange as well. This has him in the £45 million to £50 million range, putting him up there as one of the most expensive transfers ever.

Chelsea are continuing to negotiate, but the prospect of signing him is becoming more slim. However, the pursuit is still on as it would help the team both on the field and ignite excitement amongst fans going into the season.

CM: Joao Moutinho

Moutinho was one of the first players linked to Chelsea when Villa-Boas was appointed. At first his name was one among many that were rumored to come, but his potential of being in a Blue's uniform is becoming more and more a necessity in recent days.

Moutinho would fit a similar role as Essien as a versatile midfielder. He is comfortable any where in the middle of the field, all the way from attacking in the box to defending just outside of his own.

The value of having someone like this is that they can fill in for inevitable injuries and give rest to a multitude of players.

Perhaps what Moutinho could bring to the team more than anything would be the intangibles. Being that he is from Porto, he knows Villa-Boas well. He could help bridge the divide that exists when players get a new coach.

Winger

Chelsea is by no means short on the offensive side of the ball. They have four or five very capable forwards who fill every kind of role, from ones who can play with their backs to the goal to players more comfortable running onto through balls into box.

But with AVB's proposed 4-3-3 formation, the team truly lacks a dedicated wing player, who plays the swift attacking style the Portuguese boss had success with at Porto.

Drogba, Anelka and Sturridge are all capable of playing in this wide role but are generally more effective in the middle or closer to the net. It could be a waste of their talents to keep them out wide as support than to have them play where they are most comfortable.

A true winger would provide an extra tacit in the attack and allow the other forwards, even if they were to play on the wing, drift closer to the goal and be a bigger goal scoring threat.

Wing: Sergio Aguero

In a Copa America campaign that Argentina underperformed, Aguero was one of the few bright spots the hosts could point to. His flanking of Linoel Messi helped set up a few goals and earned himself two as well.

AVB's style of attack calls on the wings to make cutting inside runs. This is the strategy that Aguero has used to devastating effect with Athletico Madrid. His hard nosed play would also make him suitable and even better adapted for the English game than in Spain.

At age 23, he is one of the best young players in the world and will only increase in value. Right now Athletico has priced him at €45 million. The number may seem staggering, but if you figure in what he can produce, his expected rise in price, as well as inflation, he really could come out as a bargain deal.

His signing would probably be the limit to Chelsea going after big name players. Though Abramovich is known to give his managers whatever cash is needed, AVB has been calm in his spending.

Aguero would be one player that the price may not matter.

Wing: Angel Di Maria

Aguero's national side team mate Di Maria was another positive for the Argentinians' this July.

After a very successful first season with the Real, he seems to already be looking at a potential spot on the bench for next year with the club reportedly going after players that play his position.

Neymar and Kun Aguero are some of the biggest names being tossed around and all would more than likely push Di Maria to a sub role.

Sadly it is the way of big clubs who don't win silverware to make their reliable role players collateral damage in the pursuit of championships.

Di Maria is an incredibly talented player, but does not show off his flair as much as he could. He is a perfect support for Drogba, Torres, Anelka or whoever may start up front with him.

His attitude would also be ideal for a coach which has stressed the importance of team unity. He has superstar talent, but remains modest and is always more welcome to team achievements that personal statistics.

Though Aguero is perhaps the better signing, Di Maria could be bought on the cheap and presents himself as another potential steal.

Wing: Kaka

At one time, Kaka was the best player in the world and on his way to becoming one of the greatest players of all time. But injuries and competition for his spot at Real Madrid have seen him become on the the worlds most expensive bench players.

Chelsea's interest in the Brazilian dates back two seasons. The Blue's were not able to lure him from Milan and he ended up in Real Madrid.

His time in the Spanish capital has been marred by injuries that have kept him sidelined. However, when he is on the pitch he seems to have the same form he exhibited in Italy and for his national side.

His craft and ingenuity on the ball typify the Brazilian philosophy of jogo bonito. He also has an incredibly determined work ethic that keeps him modest and always pushing to be his best.

The signings of Fabio Coentrao, Jose Callejon and Hamit Altintop have suggested that perhaps his time at Madrid are coming to an end.

Chelsea are supposedly lining up Kaka to sign should they not be able to reach an agreement with Tottenham over Modric. Kaka would be a reasonable consolation prize in many peoples opinions.