Chelsea Transfer News: Isco, Juan Cuadrado, Nathan Ake, Top Rumours

Chelsea will reportedly face stern competition from Juventus if they want to sign Real Madrid playmaker Isco at the end of the season.  

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Jamie Styles of the Daily Star), the Italian champions have made the Spain international a priority acquisition. As well as the Blues, Styles noted Isco has also been linked with Manchester City and Arsenal, as he struggles to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI in Madrid.

Madridistas used to adore the former Malaga man, who was cheered off the pitch after picking up a red card against Barcelona earlier this season. Here is a look at why:

But in recent weeks, the tide seems to have turned against the 23-year-old. According to a report from Carlos Carpio in Marca earlier in March, both Isco and James Rodriguez are playing for their futures at the club, with their “mentality and dedication” questioned.

Still, as these statistics from OptaJose show, the midfielder is still a key creative cog in this Real Madrid setup:

A change of scenery may not be the worst thing for this extremely talented player. Since signing for Los Blancos in the summer of 2013, he’s yet to secure a regular starting spot, with so many other attacking behemoths at the disposal of manager Zinedine Zidane. Another club, where more responsibility is on his shoulders, could bring out the best in him.

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Chelsea would certainly be able to offer Isco a more significant role, although it’s tough to see why he would move to Stamford Bridge. The other sides mentioned all look like more attractive propositions compared to the Blues at the moment; that’s an issue they’ll have to conquer following this terrible campaign.

Loan Stars Set for Permanent Moves?

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According to reports, both Juan Cuadrado and Nathan Ake could be set for permanent departures from Chelsea despite impressing on loan.

The former has shone for Juventus this term on his temporary deal, and according Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta, the club will try to sign him on a long-term basis, per Jefferson Lake of Sky Sports: “Cuadrado could help us a lot and we are happy about his performances. We will try to hold on to him for the next campaign.”

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe thinks he could be ideal for the Blues next term should Antonio Conte come in as manager:

Additionally, according to Darren Witcop of the Daily Star, Watford want to keep Ake beyond this term, either by signing him or loaning him again: “He has has indicated he wants to stay at Chelsea, provided he is finally handed a first-team chance. But an offer in the region of £3 million could be enough for Watford to seal Ake’s signature.”

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The 21-year-old has done a fine job for the Hornets, who seem set to comfortably preserve their Premier League safety after their return to the top flight. Indeed, World Soccer Talk’s Kartik Krishnaiyer said earlier this season that Ake could already do a job for the Blues:

Cuadrado wasn’t really handed a proper chance after signing for Chelsea in early 2015. Wherever he has played previously, whether at Fiorentina or Juventus, he’s been superb, and it’d be a big shame not to see him ever get a proper crack at Stamford Bridge.

The same applies for Ake, who is clearly a fine prospect. The Blues’ reputation for bringing young players into the team is poor, and after a fine campaign with Watford, the defender looks ready to play a part. After the mistakes made in letting Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne leave, Chelsea need to be careful of making another costly error with a youngster.