So Who are Chelsea Buying This Summer?

So who are we buying and selling this summer? If we were asked this question in winter, we might have come up with a list of OUT players and IN players. The reason is, under Scolari, the team looked somewhat incompetent to win anything big.

Some players tested our patience and looked impossible to improve. We appeared to have too many weak areas and hence wanted a complete overhaul of the squad. Opinions have changed now. Opinions on Malouda have changed. Opinions on Bosingwa have changed. Opinions on Anelka have changed. Everything looks fine now. Full credit to Hiddink.

Now, the team looks rather complete. There is no need for a overhaul or exodus which was a popular cry in the middle of the season. We have the some key players who keep the team together. Some new players have stepped up to the challenge.

Some near-failures have resurrected their form and probably, careers. We have very little need to be worried about. We are not in a situation like Arsenal for starters. While there are so many places that need not be filled or worried about, there are a few spots of bother.

In the goal, we have only Petr Cech and Hilario. Of course, we have the youth keeper too. When you’re aspiring to win everything on sight, this is not the situation you want to be in. Cudicini was a great second choice and I’d doubt if we would get such a fantastic second choice keeper who is also willing to be second behind Petr Cech.

Unless, Ancelotti promises first team football, atleast in domestic cups, we may not get a good keeper who’s worthy to replace Cech in times of need. Maybe, we need to be looking out for young, prodigious keepers. Strangely, none of the transfer rumours involving Chelsea ever talk about a goalkeeper.

While we lost Cudicini in the midseason, we also lost Wayne Bridge who was in the same boat as Cudicini. Very good player in his position but always second choice to a better player in the squad.

Bosingwa did a fantastic job at the left back against a certain Messi over two legs in champions league semifinal. We also have Ivanovic or Ferreira who can step in if needed. But if this situation continues, the left back position would be seen as a chink in the Chelsea armour and teams would start targetting and exploiting that position.

There are rumours about Zhirkov joining Chelsea but just like the goalkeeper position, the left back that joins must be willing to play second fiddle to Ashley Cole. That is, if the Ashley Cole pay hike rumours are true.

Nothing needs to change in the midfield. I have always said that we have the best midfield in Europe with Essien, Lampard, Ballack, and Mikel. No need to change that. Essien and Mikel should absolutely stay with us. I would not swap them for anyone. Ballack has reportedly got his one year extension.

I thought if we had to sell one midfielder it had to be the German captain. With the rumours around his one year extension, that seems to be out of question.

In attack, we have Drogba, Anelka, Di Santo, Joe Cole, Malouda, and Kalou. Most of us have been saying that attack is one area which we badly need to bolster if we are win anything next season.

Drogba was typically blowing hot and cold last season. Anelka was slotting in the goals but he didn’t look like the one that would win us the premier league or champions league. Di Santo hardly got any time on the pitch but he did the job for me whenever he came in.

Joe Cole was not available for most part of the season and I’m still not convinced if he is consistent enough for us. Malouda was everyone’s bunny until February and then we saw a brand new Florent Malouda, the one we thought we bought back in 2006.

Kalou has been decent. He scored and created some important goals though he did not play much. So that’s been the story of our attack this season.

We have the players to win trophies for us. What we lack is some magic. Some world beater that would make the jaws drop. That’s why we were after Robinho. That’s why we are after Ribery. We need a player or two who would create something out of nothing.

A player who would, on his own, will be able to win crucial matches. I don’t think the club is trying to replace a player because we don’t have the kind of player that we are looking for. So anyone that comes in must be a first team starter who would give a run for the money for the current bunch of attacking players.

This new player could be a winger or a striker. I see that Chelsea were interested (who’s not?) in David Villa. Also pato has been dropping hints that he would join Ancelotti. So, if it’s going to be a striker then that’s a strong message to Drogba or Anelka or both depending on which formation Ancelotti wants to play.

In any case, if we get an attacking player, we certainly need to offload some. Probably, it is Kalou or even Joe Cole.

With Roman’s little romance with Kaka this summer, we pretty much know about two things: (a) Roman wants to buy new players (b) Roman is willing to spend the money. That’s great news.

This summer could very well be the busiest ever in terms of high profile big buck transfers. We have seen Kaka’s transfer break the world record (in pound terms) and that record could not stay for more than two days.

Ronaldo has moved out of Man Utd. and Tevez could be gone too. Scholes and Giggs won’t play this season. And none of these players have good second choices.

So, Chelsea must be the favourites for next season’s premier league. I hope Roman and Kenyon make the right purchases because I think we are just two good buys away from premier league and champions league.