Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Should Chelsea Sign Porto's Álvaro Pereira?

According to BBC Sport, Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas has confirmed the club have bid for Porto left-back Álvaro Pereira.

Villas-Boas added that he is "not very confident" that the team will sign Pereira, citing Porto's high valuation of the Uruguayan international as the main stumbling block in the potential transfer.

Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa told RTP, "I confirm that Chelsea have made an offer which took 30 seconds to be responded to." 

The 25-year-old Uruguayan was integral to Villas-Boas' treble winning triumph last season.

So the question is, should Pereira be brought into the Bridge?

YES: Álvaro Pereira's Dynamism and Teamwork Is Invaluable

Team first and individual second pretty much sums up Álvaro Pereira.  

He's a dynamic player with extraordinary endurance and an admirable work ethic.

Why not have a player like him in the squad?  

NO: Where Will Álvaro Pereira Play?

Álvaro Pereira started 33 games last season at left back for Porto. He's used to being a starter. Unlucky for him, Chelsea already have a world-class left back.

Ashley Cole is the undisputed No. 1 at the position, and he's played 35+ games for five seasons running.

So the likelihood of Cole being injured appears slim, and Pereira won't get a look in. 

But he can play as a left-sided midfielder. With Yuri Zhirkov headed back to Russia, he could see time as a utility player around the side.

True, but manager Álvaro Pereira plays a 4-3-3, or in the past two games, has played a 4-1-2-3; both formations have no use for a wingers.

By signing Pereira, it's Zhirkov becoming frustrated due to lack of playing time all over again.     

YES: Our Competitors Have Absurd Depth, Therefore We Should Too

Real Madrid signed Fábio Coentrão for €30 million, even though he isn't guaranteed a starting position.

Manchester City have £16 million-valued left back Aleksandar Kolarov warming the benches, and £10 million-valued left back Wayne Bridge as a squad member.

If owner Roman Abramovich wants to flaunt his money, let him. Let's have Álvaro Pereira in the squad to cover the possibility of Ashley Cole going down with injury.   

NO: £25 Million for What?

The Daily Mail claim the price attached to Álvaro Pereira's buyout clause is £25 million.

So Chelsea is buying a player who can just about run around nonstop for 90 minutes, rather than a midfield general who can orchestrate play?

Why?

Surely Stevan Jovetić, who spent last season injured, isn't going to cost £25 million?

Miralem Pjanić isn't going to cost £25 million.

Let's go for Éver Banega. 

We should buy what we need, rather than what we don't need.

It's not like Pereira justifies the talent-over-need school of thought either.      

YES: Copa América Performances Justify High Price Tag

I ranked Álvaro Pereira as the eighth best player in the Copa América.  

In Uruguay's must-win game against Mexcio, who came to La Celeste's rescue? Pereira. 

Whose goal ensured a share of the points against the dangerous Chileans the game before? Pereira.

Pereira is not a noted goalscorer and never will be, but when Uruguay were sluggish it was Pereira who rose to the occasion. 

When we progress into December and January, the games in which some of our players may not be able to step up, we know that Pereira's hyperactive enthusiasm can pull us over the line. 

NO: What About Ryan Bertrand and Patrick Van Aanholt's Development?

Álvaro Pereira isn't anything special; he's a blue-collar type who relies on athleticism and toughness over skill. 

Keep in mind that Pereira didn't make a name of himself until former Porto manager Jesualdo Ferreira bought the Uruguayan when he was 24 years old.

Ryan Bertrand is 22 years old and Patrick Van Aanholt is 20 years old. 

Why not develop Bertrand and Van Aanholt, as opposed to cutting their already limited playing time by signing Pereira?

YES: I'd Trust Álvaro Pereira over Ryan Bertrand and Patrick Van Aanholt

It's the day before the UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona, and Ashley Cole has ruled been out. 

Who would you choose?

Álvaro Pereira, with his proven quality, who helped Uruguay to fourth place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2011 UEFA Europa League winner and 2011 Copa América winner?

Or Ryan Bertrand and Patrick Van Aanholt, who are both unproven, both inexperienced and both would have done more watching then playing? 

If you choose Pereira, then that is why we should sign him.

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