Chelsea Transfer News: Gerard Pique Rumour Emerges, Latest on Fernando Torres

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique to freshen up the club's defensive options this January, according to reports emerging from Spain.

Mourinho is considering a huge winter bid to convince the Catalan star to join playmaker Cesc Fabregas at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues boss also has one eye on how Fernando Torres is doing at AC Milan. The on-loan striker is reportedly finding life tough with the Rossoneri, per Daily Mirror reporter Neil McLeman, which could dent Chelsea's plans to tease a permanent fee from the Italian giants.

Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images

However, it's Mourinho's interest in Pique that is the more intriguing development. The 27-year-old is falling out of favour at Camp Nou, tempting Chelsea to make a move, per Spanish website Fichajes (h/t Daily Star reporter Alex Harris):

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According to the sensational report, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is hoping to pursue the signing of Pique in the winter transfer window, with the defender under fire following a disappointing performance for Barcelona against Real Madrid on Saturday.

Mourinho has limited defensive options beyond his first-choice central-defensive pairing of Gary Cahill and John Terry. Furthermore, the club are likely to seek a long-term replacement for 33-year-old club captain Terry.

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Pique certainly fits the bill as a replacement for stalwart skipper John Terry. He has the height, physicality and combative streak Mourinho insists all of his central defenders possess.

Pique also knows the Premier League well from his stint with Manchester United between 2004 and 2008. Chelsea can steal a march on United in the race for the defender's signature thanks to Fabregas' friendship with Pique.

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The two have been close friends since their days in Barca's youth academy. Mourinho, who had plenty of run-ins with Pique as manager of Real Madrid, would likely rely on Fabregas to smooth the way for any deal to be made.

Of course, that's assuming Mourinho isn't deterred by Pique's recent struggles at both international and club level. Like most of his team-mates, Pique floundered during Spain's brief and dismal 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign.

His club woes have made him a target for Catalan newspaper Sport, especially after Barca's recent 3-1 Clasico defeat to Real Madrid, per Mail Online reporter Kieran Gill:

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The dissection of Barcelona continues in the Spanish press, with Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta the main targets of Sport.

[...]

Sport also explain the problem of each player after the Clasico defeat:
Pique—he 'failed to take the lead of the defence'.
Busquets—he covered 'less space for their physical problems'.
Iniesta—he 'still does not fit the profile that you want' technically.

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Prior to the Clasico, Enrique even felt the need to justify Pique's selection with rather backhanded praise of his recent performances, per BarcaStuff:

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Luis Enrique: "Pique to start against Madrid? He can play, start on the bench or he can be in the stands, like all. For me, he's doing well"

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 21, 2014"

There will be a fear that Pique has lost his edge after experiencing so much success at Barca. However, it's still difficult to believe his talent has suddenly and completely deserted him.

Perhaps a move to a more naturally defensively solid Chelsea is the panacea for Pique's ailing career.

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In contrast, Torres is one player whose talent appears to have long since left him. Once one of the most feared strikers in Europe, the ex-Atletico Madrid and Liverpool star's career has unravelled.

A move to AC Milan and the slower pace of Italian football was supposed to change all that. But Torres has yet to find the magic formula in Serie A. The 30-year-old has netted just one goal since joining the Rossoneri, according to WhoScored.com.

In fairness, it hasn't helped that the Chelsea loanee has barely seen the field, something the player discussed during a recent radio interview, per Daily Mirror reporter Neil McLeman:

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Personally, I’m feeling better every day. I’m adapting to a new league. This week we are playing three games and the coach said that he would have needed everybody and in this game I had to start from the bench.

This is part and parcel of the challenge though because I haven’t come here just to pass the time, but because I want to leave my mark.

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McLean also noted how Torres's desire for more playing time is also echoed by the club's hierarchy:

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Fernando Torres is demanding more playing time at Milan—and has the backing of club owner Silvio Berlusconi.

The former Italy prime minister entered the Rossoneri's dressing room at half-time in Sunday’s home draw with Fiorentina, calling for the introduction of the on-loan Chelsea striker.

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Torres needn't fret. Any player armed with Berlusconi's backing is likely to get all the playing time he wants.

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That should be good news for Chelsea. Mourinho needs Torres to rediscover his scoring touch; that's the only way the Blues are going to permanently move him on.

For now, though, Mourinho has a tough decision to make regarding Pique. If he can be assured that a talented but struggling defender needs nothing but a change of scenery, Pique is the ideal candidate to refresh the heart of Chelsea's defence.