Chelsea Transfer News: Buzz Surrounding Mario Gotze, Marek Hamsik, More

The 2014 summer transfer window is in the books, and top clubs like Chelsea are already laying the groundwork to be successful once the January window rolls around.

The Blues added a number of veteran stars in the summer and had a strong overall window, as Jose Mourinho's squad looks set to be serious contenders for silverware in 2014-15.

But there's always room for improvement, and with several top players already openly speculating about their future, the transfer rumours never stop. Here's the latest buzz surrounding the Blues' reported targets.

Mario Gotze

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The German World Cup hero hinted he might be interested in a foreign adventure, telling Bild (h/t to the Daily Express' Chisanga Malata) a move abroad would suit his "personality:"

"

I am very, very happy to be playing at Bayern, in Germany.

But I might play for another 14 years, and a move abroad would certainly not be bad. A foreign country would also be tempting for someone of my personality, but I have not given it serious thought yet.

"

Mario Gotze was hot property on the transfer market in 2013, according to Malata, as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all reportedly made enquiries for the 22-year-old winger/attacking midfielder.

Gotze elected to stay in Germany and signed with Bayern Munich, but his first season with the Bavarians saw him spend more time on the bench than he would have liked.

Many are expecting him to enjoy a breakout campaign in 2014-15, powered by his winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final. And while his start to the 2014-15 season hasn't been overly impressive, he's still one of the finest talents in all of football.

Should Gotze openly declare his intention to leave Germany in January or during the summer, the list of potential suitors would be a long one. Chelsea would present an interesting destination, as Mourinho loves to build around the versatility of his wide men.

It seems more likely the youngster will stay with Bayern for the foreseeable future, however, as he attempts to establish himself as one of the Bundesliga's biggest stars.

Marek Hamsik

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Marek Hamsik failed to rule out a departure from Napoli but expressed his love for the Italian club, saying he could see himself retire with the Partenopei. As reported by the Daily Express' Alex Harris, the Slovakia international said:

"

It is possible that I can stay at Napoli for my entire career, I am happy here but in football you never know.

As long as I am happy and I feel important I will stay here because I have no reason to change.

Each day I hear from the fans talk of the Scudetto - we have to try at all costs, but no-one will know if we can succeed - we have to wait.

"

The 27-year-old rose to fame as Napoli's midfield general but has seen his play regress in the past two seasons, and with top players like Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi leaving the Partenopei, his production took a hit as well, per WhoScored.com.

Hamsik often shines against lesser opposition but fails to make the same impact against top sides, perhaps explaining why there seemingly was little interest in his services during the summer.

The Slovakian is a solid player in Napoli's system, where he's in charge of creating most of the danger. Whether he has the quality to do the same for a bigger club is a question mark, and his play in the past two seasons would indicate he might not be up to the task.

He's in the perfect situation under Rafael Benitez, and likely won't leave Southern Italy anytime soon.

Lucas Piazon

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Chelsea youngster Lucas Piazon is currently on loan with Eintracht Frankfurt, and while he still dreams of making an impact for the Blues, he told Bild (h/t to Sky Sports) he could be open to a permanent stay with the German side:

"

I wish to play at Chelsea.

I’m only 20 and anything can happen. If everything fits, I could stay in Frankfurt.

Chelsea has so many very good players and currently it is difficult for me to find a place.

Next week I pull out of the hotel and move into my apartment and tomorrow my language course begins. Then I learn German.

I think it’s normal (to go on loan). Chelsea has so many very good players and it would currently be difficult for me to find a place. Here I can play and gain experience.

"

The 20-year-old has long been touted as one of the most talented members of the Blues' army of loanees, but while he looked impressive on loan with Vitesse, he is yet to receive a chance to play at Stamford Bridge since he left the club in January of 2013.

Chelsea currently have a strong group of strikers and no real need for Piazon, but Didier Drogba isn't getting any younger. The Brazilian also has the versatility to play out wide, and he still has the potential to develop into the player Chelsea envisioned when they bought him from Sao Paulo.

Patience will be the key for Piazon. At the young age of 20, he still has plenty of time to improve as a player, and a strong season with Frankfurt could open the gates of Stamford Bridge soon enough.

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