Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Cesc Fabregas and Juan Cuadrado Exit Rumours

Juventus are reportedly considering an approach for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas as they look set to miss out on Nemanja Matic.

According to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard, reports in Italy suggest that the Italian champions have the Spaniard on their radar as they seek to rebuild their midfield following the sale of Paul Pogba to Manchester United.

As we can see here courtesy of 101 Great Goals, Italian newspaper Tuttosport ran with the story:

Johnson added that “it will take a sizeable offer to lure [Fabregas] away from west London,” while Matic also remains a key part in the plans of new boss Antonio Conte.

Having landed N’Golo Kante from Leicester City already this summer, competition for places in the Chelsea midfield will be fierce next term. For a player such as Fabregas, who has so many technical and tactical gifts, the high-intensity style of football Conte will seek to bring to Stamford Bridge may not be an ideal fit either.

Now 29, should Fabregas hold any concerns about a regular position in the first team, it’d be understandable if the prospect of a switch to Juventus did appeal to him. 

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He’d be a loss to Chelsea, though. Indeed, as these numbers from Squawka Football show, the Blues midfielder has been a creative force since joining the club:

Conte is a manager who likes to be adaptable too. Indeed, during his time with Juve, he utilised the ageing Andrea Pirlo brilliantly despite his lack of energy in the engine room. Although different in their styles, someone like Fabregas would surely have a place somewhere in the Italian’s squad.

For Juventus, the Spaniard is not the man to replace Pogba’s rumbustious presence, and with the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio and Hernanes in the squad already, they aren’t in desperate need of another player in that mould.

Juan Cuadrado's Future Uncertain

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According to Pietro Lazzerini of the London Evening Standard, Carlos Bacca is set to stay at AC Milan this summer despite interest from West Ham United—something that’ll end the Italian side’s pursuit of Chelsea’s Juan Cuadrado.

Bacca is said to be ready to stay and work under new manager Vincenzo Montella, meaning the club do not need to pursue attacking reinforcements.

That’s likely to put an end to their interest in Cuadrado, who, according to Lazzerini, would only be sold if Chelsea received an offer of £26.1 million or more.

The Colombian joined the Blues for the aforementioned amount in January 2015, although his career never caught fire at Stamford Bridge. He spent last season out on loan with Juventus, and as we can see here, he was a threat on the flank:

When he’s at his best, Cuadrado is a thrilling footballer to watch. As these numbers from WhoScored.com illustrate, the winger loves to commit opposition defenders:

For Conte, the former Fiorentina man seems as though he could potentially be a useful squad member. He is, after all, a very versatile footballer capable of excelling in a variety of positions. That flexibility and ability to take on board tactical instructions is so important in the Italian’s teams flourishing.

However, with so much talent in wide areas at Chelsea, Cuadrado may fancy his chances elsewhere should a move arise.

During his time in Italy, he’s lit up the division with some fabulous showings and was so important to Juventus’ dominance last term. For any team willing to stump up the money required, he would be a major asset.