Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Gossip on Paul Pogba and Mehdi Benatia

Jose Mourinho has a pretty clear set of guidelines when it comes to the people he wants in his squad.

Not only do his players have to be of the highest calibre, but they also must be adaptable, physically assertive and defensively astute. So it was no surprise that the Blues were continually linked with some of the most rounded players in the game throughout the summer window.

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Although a host of those muted deals didn’t come off—as is natural amid the hyperbole of the transfer market—there’s always a chance that Mourinho could revisit some of those names in January to add fresh impetus to his side.

But two players who look as though they won’t be joining Mourinho’s blue revolution are Paul Pogba and Mehdi Benatia. Here’s the very latest gossip surrounding both players.

Pogba Set For Juventus Extension

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The midfield dynamo is one of the brightest prospects in the game, so it’s no surprise that Chelsea were continually linked with a move for him throughout the summer. But at this juncture, it looks as though his immediate future remains with the Bianconeri.

According to talkSPORT, the former Manchester United man is in talks with the Italian champions over a new deal that would see him treble his current salary to £70,000 a week. Naturally, it’d be a deal that would render any upcoming move to Chelsea unlikely.

Here’s why Pogba is such hot property:

The 21-year-old is a player who fits all the requisite categories when it comes to Mourinho’s blueprint. He marries brute power with elegant poise, something that has been on show in both Bianconeri and national team colours during his rapid rise.

He’s fast becoming a talisman for Les Bleus too, producing some impactful pieces of play in his last few outings for Didier Deschamps' side, as noted here by OptaJean:

He’s also privy to a few party tricks, as we can see here courtesy of B/R UK:

Pogba is tailor-made for the Premier League, and such is the clamour surrounding his stunning ability that it’d be a major surprise if he didn’t end up back in England one day.

Chelsea would be an ideal destination for him, and under the tutelage of the Special One, he could develop into the best midfield player on the planet—if he isn't at that level already.

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But for now, he’d be making the correct decision to stay in Italy. At Juventus, his development has been stunning, and although he could earn a much more lucrative salary in England or Spain, he’s a player who seems to be extremely mature and focused entirely on his game. He knows that Juve is the best place for him to blossom.

Benatia Rejected Chelsea Approach

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The Moroccan defender rose to prominence last season with some imperious displays at the heart of the AS Roma defence, paving the way for a big-money move to German champions Bayern Munich.

But Benatia recently confirmed he could have easily been a Premier League player this season. That’s because both Manchester City and Chelsea were keen on his services.

The former Giallorossi man insisted he was delighted to join up with the Bavarians, though, per Kicker (h/t Nick Lustig of the Daily Star):

"

Manchester City and Chelsea wanted me, while there were also approaches from Real Madrid and Barcelona.

I discussed my future with Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini. He told me that the club wanted to hold on to me, but that they needed the money from a sale. That annoyed me, because I initially wanted to stay put.

But let it be clear, I was happy to join Bayern Munich. I like Munich - even if it's a bit cold here.

"

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With the defender clearly in high demand, Pep Guardiola must be delighted to have convinced Benatia to join up with his side.

Here’s the kind of stellar defending Bayern Munich supporters can expect from their new man at the back:

While Chelsea were apparently keen on Benatia, the defensive side of Mourinho's team is by no means in crisis. Last season, the club had the meanest defence in the country, and after adding Filipe Luis and Kurt Zouma to their ranks, the club are stocked with excellent defensive options.

Perhaps they were put off by Roma’s asking price, which was apparently a whopping €35 million at one point, per beIN Sports’ Tancredi Palmeri:

Mourinho may have envisaged Benatia as a potential long-term replacement for John Terry, but with the calibre of clubs interested in the Moroccan, securing a deal was always going to be perilously difficult. Nonetheless, Chelsea fans will lose little sleep regarding their rock-solid defensive unit.