Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Musn't Give in to Seamus Coleman Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly preparing an offer to beat Chelsea to Everton full-back Seamus Coleman, and the Blues would be wise not to let these latest rumours influence them and stay out of the race for the Ireland international.

According to the Daily Star's Bruce Archer, the Red Devils are preparing a £25 million offer for the 26-year-old defender, using a potential loan deal of Adnan Januzaj as a sweetener:

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The Manchester United boss considers Coleman to be perfect for either of his formations and a more reliable defender than Rafael.

The £25m-rated right back could play further forward in a 3-5-2 or in the 4-4-2.

According to reports United were keen on landing Coleman during the summer but a swap deal involving former Everton star Marouane Fellaini failed to materialise.

Chelsea have also expressed an interest in Coleman despite having Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta.

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United's reported interest makes sense: The Red Devils are currently forced to field Antonio Valencia as a wing-back due to injury concerns regarding Rafael, who isn't exactly a world-class defender himself.

Coleman would solve the conundrum on the right wing, with the ability to play both in a 3-5-2 or a more traditional formation. The Irish defender has impressed greatly with Everton in the last 18 months, and his stock is soaring.

He forms a deadly duo with Leighton Baines, marauding down the wing and contributing in front of goal. According to Squawka Football, no Premier League defender has scored more since the start of the 2013-14 season:

Coleman's versatility is one of his biggest assets, as is his impeccable work rate. He'll do whatever his coach asks of him for the full 90 minutes, regardless of his position. The Liverpool Echo's Tony Scott was impressed by how much space he was able to cover when scouting him recently:

Coleman is unlikely to leave Everton in January, as he's one of the club's most important contributors. As a result, the £25 million valuation isn't that far off—that's what he's worth to the Toffees.

Whether he would be worth that much on the open market is a different question. Coleman is an excellent full-back on a good team—that doesn't mean he'll be the same player on a great team.

His performances in 2014-15 also haven't been as consistent as they were last year, with injury somewhat to blame for a drop in form. Everton writer Chris Smith was brutally honest ahead of the Toffees' match against Newcastle United, acknowledging his play has slipped:

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I can't believe in a defence of Coleman, Alcaraz, Distin and Garbutt, Coleman is the one I'm least sure of. Come on Seamus, get it back.

— Chris Smith (@cdsmith789) December 28, 2014"

He will still be a popular name on the transfer market however, and here's where things get tricky. As mentioned by Archer, the Blues don't have a real need for another full-back. Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic have both been excellent this season, with Filipe Luis sitting on the bench as cover.

Ideally, a team would have two capable back-up full-backs, one for each wing, but £25 million is a lot of money to spend on a player who would likely join the club as a back-up.

Manchester United don't need a back-up; they need a starter. Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey and Andy Brassell recently broke down the team's needs, highlighting a stud defender as the top priority:

The Red Devils could be willing to pay £25 million for Coleman, who would solve a number of problems for them. If they want him badly enough, they'll even go higher, putting even more pressure on Chelsea's finances in a straight head-to-head for the full-back.

There simply is no need for Chelsea to make a big play for someone they have no real need for. Coleman is a good player whose value is bloated due to the exposure the Premier League gets, and the Blues shouldn't—and won't—spend big on him in January.

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