Chelsea Transfer News: Major Names Targeted in Easter Sunday Rumours

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is apparently looking at adding some Spanish flair to this Blues side, with reports linking the Londoners with moves for Atletico Madrid’s Koke and Valencia starlet Jose Luis Gaya.

The former would represent an especially enticing proposition for the Stamford Bridge faithful. Koke has blossomed into one of the finest midfield players on the continent under Diego Simeone, and according to reports in Spain cited by Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express, the Blues will move for the Spaniard in the summer.

Here’s the kind of quality he would bring to West London:

The piece claims Mourinho is looking at adding more options in midfield and he sees Koke as the kind of player that can help Chelsea clinch Champions League glory next season.

A passive Blues team were knocked out of the competition by a far superior Paris Saint-Germain side in the last-16 and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher commented on the lack of intensity in Chelsea’s play in the aftermath of their elimination:

While Koke isn’t a bullish physical specimen, he plays with real initiative. Not just in the purpose and precision with which he fizzes passes about the pitch, either, but in the the diligent defensive work he regularly showcases. It’s a facet of his game that makes Atletico such a cohesive unit and something which Mourinho will have picked up on.

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But does the Blues boss really need to spend big in order to facilitate a Champions League charge of more significance? Bleacher Report’s Chelsea correspondent Garry Hayes doesn’t think so:

Koke is a special talent and a player who looks destined for great things. But given the quality attacking options the Blues currently have in their squad, it’d be peculiar to see Mourinho go after the Spaniard.

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While Koke will eventually slot into a central midfield berth, most of the fine performances he’s turned in for Atletico have come from the flanks, and as such, throwing him in alongside Nemanja Matic in a deeper role would be a major gamble from Mourinho. At this juncture, he’s simply not the kind of player that the Blues need.

Chelsea to Trigger Gaya Clause

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Teenage left-back Gaya has been magnificent for Valencia this season and has seemingly caught the eye of some of European football’s juggernauts.

According to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star on Sunday, the Blues are ready to activate the £13.6 million release clause in his contract as they look to steal a march on Arsenal and Manchester City in the race for the player. As noted in the piece, Real Madrid have also been touted as potential suitors.

Here’s a look at why Gaya is so highly rated:

Indeed, the left-back has been crucial to the excellent season Los Che are currently enjoying. Nuno Santo’s team have been superb to watch as of late and will almost certainly finish in the top four spots this season, meaning that Champions League football will be back at the Mestalla again in 2015/16.

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The effervescent surges of their burgeoning left-back has been a hallmark of their play throughout the campaign. As noted by OptaJose during Valencia’s clash with Atletico last month, the youngster isn’t one to shirk a physical challenge either:

It’s a pursuit that’d certainly make sense from a Blues perspective. After all, the only orthodox left-back they have in the squad is Filipe Luis, and while Cesar Azpilicueta has performed with distinction in the role, sometimes Chelsea do lack a little bit of attacking balance on that flank. The full-back positions are arguably the facet of the team which is most lacking in depth too.

But Gaya should be wary of taking on too much too soon. While he’s an exciting talent with spades of potential, making such a significant move would be a massive risk in the relative infancy of his burgeoning career. Hopefully he stays at Valencia, continues to feature on a regular basis and expedites his progress toward becoming an elite-level full-back.