Chelsea Transfer Rumors: Andre Schurrle Better for Blues Than Daniel Sturridge

Chelsea is scrambling to make one last move before the transfer window shuts and the Blues hope to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s André Schürrle and loan out Daniel Sturridge.

The Guardian’s Dominic Fifield reported that Chelsea has upped a £16 million bid—which Leverkusen found unsatisfactory—to £20 million. If the German club accepts the offer, the Blues will then look to send Sturridge away for the year, as he will struggle to get on the pitch.

With Schürrle on the squad, Chelsea’s attack will feature several bright young talents. Eden Hazard has arguably been the best player in the English Premier League through three games, and he has already recorded four assists and a goal.

With Schürrle joining the young Belgian playmaker on the attacking line, the Blues would have an attack set to produce now and for many years down the road.

Schürrle, like Hazard, is just 21 years old. The German international is coming off a season in which he had seven goals and three assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen.

He is comfortable playing on the left side of the pitch, which currently is the weakest spot in Chelsea’s attacking lineup. Fernando Torres has shown signs that his confidence is returning, and Hazard and Juan Mata are both excellent choices to play behind the Spaniard. 

Ryan Bertrand and Ramires have been used to complete the team’s quartet of goal-scoring threats. Sturridge’s role this season will be as a substitute for Torres if he stays. 

Ramires adds a defensive dimension to the midfield, but he is not nearly as dynamic in the attack as the young German. Bertrand is 23 and has little experience in the first team, but he too does not pose as much danger as Schürrle when going forward.

Sturridge certainly has a bright future and is also capable of playing on the wing, but he prefers playing as a center forward, and currently there is not a place for him in the first team at that position.     

Schürrle is a more natural fit for the Blues because of he excels out wide. He is not a poacher like Torres, but he is more likely to create chances for himself than Hazard and Mata, who relish their roles as playmakers. His presence would bring excellent balance to Chelsea’s lineup up front.

With Hazard, Schürrle and Mata—who is just 24 years old—as Di Matteo’s first choices for attacking midfielders, Roman Abramovich’s club will be set up for success for many years to come.