Why Chelsea Should Keep Clear of Troublesome Striker Luis Suarez

During the past few transfer periods Chelsea have gone about acquiring exciting young playmakers who are comfortable in a variety of positions.

Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar are three of the most prominent, although the recently acquired Marco van Ginkel also fits the description given the fact that he is equally adept at operating from deep in the midfield or just behind the centre-forward.

If being loved remains the existential objective for club owner Roman Abramovich—who must know by now that winning trophies does not necessarily guarantee affection—then it would seem he is on the right track.

This coming season Chelsea will put some of world football’s most gifted, hybrid attackers on the field at the same time, and depending on how incoming manager Jose Mourinho (who is already loved by the club’s fans) deploys the players at his disposal, the Blues could end up winning over a brand new set of supporters during the next few seasons.

Or they could ruin everything by signing troublesome Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

According to a report in Spanish outlet AS that was quickly picked up by the Express, Chelsea are mulling a £34 million move for the Uruguay international and are prepared to offer a wage packet valued at £4.7 million per season.

As a purely footballing move, there could be worse ones.

Suarez, after all, did score 23 Premier League goals last term while being named Man of the Match an incredible nine times.

But his bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in late April brought on a 10-match ban that he will only finish serving in October. So even if Chelsea were keen to add a proven goalscorer, they would only get him for 80 per cent of the season, and that’s assuming he didn’t pick up another lengthy suspension.

Since joining Liverpool in January 2011, Suarez has done more to sully a football club’s reputation than almost any other player in recent times. Whether it was the biting incident or race row with Patrice Evra, his antics diminished what he was accomplishing on the field of play.

Chelsea have no need for that sort of distraction, especially if Abramovich is so keen to build a side that is respected as much for the football it plays as for winning trophies.

Then there is the basic fact that the club simply doesn’t require the services of another centre-forward.

Already Mourinho will have to divide playing time between Fernando Torres and Demba Ba, and should Romelu Lukaku remain at the club for a full season the manager will have a third option up top. Given Andre Schurrle’s ability to play centrally, Mourinho is spoiled for choice at the position.

Suarez isn’t needed at Chelsea. And if Chelsea are smart, he won’t be wanted, either.