You Can Sign Any 2 Players in the World: Chelsea Influencers Make Their Picks

We've seen all sorts of headlines in recent weeks that have been linking Chelsea to global stars. From fearsome defenders to glamorous attackers, the Blues would have a team to rival any fantasy side were they to sign all those they have been linked with.

Antonio Conte would be spoiled for choice every week, keeping himself awake at night as he tortured himself with who to pick for his starting XI come matchday.

It has got us thinking: If Chelsea could sign any two players on the planet, who would supporters most like to see donning their blue jerseys come next season?

We spoke to some Blues influencers to get their thoughts.

Dan Dormer, London is Blue podcast

Twitter: @LondonBluePod

Players: Robert Lewandowski and Marco Verratti

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The rumours about Robert Lewandowski falling out with "King" Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich were hard to believe, but it was an intriguing prospect.

While Chelsea are looking at targets like Andrea Belotti and Alvaro Morata, according to The Independent's Miguel Delaney, Lewandowski would have been an upgrade over Diego Costa—not just comparable to the club's firebrand striker. He has a proven goalscoring record at the highest level.

Marco Verratti would mean we would have a shorty-squad midfield with him along N'Golo Kante, but he would change how we operate. His dynamic style would also afford Conte plenty of different choices when it comes to formations.

Ryan Darby, Read Chelsea

Twitter: @ReadChelseaFC

Players: Harry Kane and Radja Nainggolan

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If we were able to sign any two players in the world, the first player I would love to bring to the club would be Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane. For me, he's the complete package and is the real deal, regardless of those who still don't quite believe in him.

Not for one minute do I see this as a deal that could ever happen, but with everything that is happening with Costa and Chelsea's pursuit of a striker this summer, he would be the perfect addition to our side. He has consistently found the back of the net, scoring different types of goals, and he is only going to get better.

I think Chelsea fans would also get a lot of joy from the idea of luring Spurs' golden boy to the Bridge, although I'd hate to think how much he would cost.

I would love to see Radja Nainggolan walk through the doors at Stamford Bridge. It's the transfer rumour we hear every summer, but nothing has ever come of it.

On paper, he looks like the perfect addition to our midfield. He has the tenacity to win the ball and be dominant in the middle of the park, but he can also produce at the other end as well. If you were to put him alongside Kante, there wouldn't be many better midfield partnerships around.

Chelsea HQ

Twitter: @Chelsea_HQ

Players: Marco Verratti and Antoine Griezmann

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Chelsea haven't had a real midfield engine who can tackle, hit a 40-yard pass and score a goal since the Michael Ballack/Michael Essien days.

While Kante has few flaws in his game, Verratti can offer what he can't. In my opinion, they would be the perfect midfield duo. Even at 24, he's worth big bucks.

Antoine Griezmann can play in any forward position, whether it's out on the wing or as a striker. His goalscoring record for both Atletico Madrid and France is ridiculous. The prospect of him and Eden Hazard in the same front three would be a frightening prospect for Chelsea's opponents.

Liam Twomey, ESPN

Twitter: @Liam_Twomey

Players: Robert Lewandowski and Luka Modric

Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

Chelsea's most urgent need is a replacement for Costa. There are only a handful of pure No. 9s on the planet who offer a comparable blend of strength, skill and scoring to be the focal point of an elite modern attack, but Lewandowski ticks all the boxes and more.

In fact, he'd probably be a significant upgrade on Costa.

There's also a void in central midfield, where Conte is looking for a dynamic, well-rounded partner for Kante. Real Madrid star Luka Modric would be the dream. Over the past two years, he has established himself as the most complete midfielder in the world, effortlessly dictating matches from deep while tackling and intercepting well enough not to be a defensive liability.

David Johnstone, cfcuk fanzine

Twitter: @OnlyAPound

Players: Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata

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Personally, I think that Chelsea have strength and depth in every position except in attack, hence my two choices being frontmen.

Griezmann is just the type of forward I'd love to see playing for Chelsea. At 26 years old, he is just coming into what will be his prime. He's played at the highest level for both club and country, his average scoring rate being slightly more than one goal every two league games for current side Atletico Madrid.

Morata is another forward who, like Griezman, has plenty of big-game experience having played for two massive clubs in Juventus and Real Madrid. A Spain international aged 25, like Griezmann, he is coming into his best years and would prove an asset to Conte.

That said, I'd like to see Tammy Abraham given his chance at Stamford Bridge. There is a method in Chelsea's willingness to allow their youngsters to go on loan to gain experience. Andreas Christensen is a prime example. He has established himself at Borussia Monchengladbach and is now one of the best up-and-coming defenders in Europe with plenty of experience at the highest level.

Perhaps, had he stayed at Chelsea, he might not have been able to get past some of the players who have helped establish Chelsea's defence as the bedrock of their recent successes over the past few years.

However, in Abraham's case, and with Chelsea lacking up front, there is a solid case to support the view that the young England U21 striker deserves a place on the first-team bench at the least when he returns from Swansea City next year.

Care Free Youth

Twitter: @CareFreeYouth

Players: Antoine Griezmann and Marco Verratti

Xavier Laine/Getty Images

Griezmann is a player I like a lot. He can play a few different roles, but mostly I'd like to see him up front and linking up with Hazard; that would be special. It is well-known we will probably need a forward soon with what's going on with Costa and the club.

With the club-record prices we are rumoured to have to pay for other forwards, we need a player for that price who is not a risk—as in we know he will score goals and not leave us regretting.

Griezmann's at an age where he's experienced in the Champions League and played big games where he has produced the goods. The last thing we want is another club-record signing like Fernando Torres in terms of goals.

Verratti is another a player I have enjoyed watching for a good four or five years now. With Conte not seeming to trust Cesc Fabregas enough last season to start him week in, week out, I felt we missed creativity from midfield at times when Cesc wasn't playing.

Verratti has that creative pass in him, but he offers so much more. He likes to dictate a game by getting the ball a lot like Pirlo used to and is comfortable having it. I felt Kante and Nemanja Matic as a pair last season didn't offer much going forward with creative passes and aren't as comfortable to receive a pass in tight spaces and keep hold of it if we are under pressure.

Verratti is calm, can slow the game down when needed and take pressure off the team, instead of just lumping it forward to Hazard to relieve the pressure. A link-up of Verratti and Kante in midfield, with Hazard and Griezmann ahead of them, would be two partnerships I'd love to watch.