Neymar Passed on Chelsea?
As a fan of football, I have long admired one of the true legends of the game, Pele, despite never being able to see his play in person. This was until I recently, when I learned that the Brazil’s best player ever advised the next Golden Boy of Brazilian football, Neymar, not to come to Chelsea.
Neymar is coming out now, saying that back in 2010 both Pele and Santos President Luis Alvaro painted the now Barcelona star a picture, figuratively speaking, that if he remained at Santos he could be the next great figure in all of Brazilian sports. Juninho’s decision (as Neymar is referred to by his family) was to ultimately turn down a huge offer from Chelsea and remain at Santos for three more years, when he signed with Barcelona in 2013.
PSG Seek Oscar Signing
Now, we shift from one 22 year old Brazilian to another. Chelsea’s star midfielder has reported that he has contacted and been contacted by the French champions, but that he has no intensions of leaving Stamford Bridge. Teammate Eden Hazard had been linked with a move to Paris for some time as well, but those rumors have since muted.
Oscar has been greatly important to Chelsea since his arrival in 2012 and it would be hard to believe that manager Jose Mourinho would be willing to part ways with the young talent.
Will Costa Be Wearing Blue In August?
For months now there has been speculation not if Diego Costa would be joining Chelsea, but instead, when he would become a Blue. Reports have stated for weeks now that the Atletico striker has passed his physical and that he is only waiting on a contract, but I think there’s more to the story. I’m not going to compare the 25 year old to another Spanish striker on Chelsea, whose name I won’t mention, but I firmly believe that Mourinho and Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich are questioning Costa.
Spain bailing out in the group stage of the World Cup certainly didn’t aid his cause. At least if La Furia Roja had advanced to the knockout round, Costa would’ve been able to ride Spanish waves to a deal with Chelsea, but since that didn’t occur, it is easier to assess his play during this World Cup, which was poor to say the least. It is still very possible that Mourinho decides to make Costa his preferred striker, but I’d say it isn’t looking very good at this point for Atleti’s star.
Abramovich Opening The Check Book?
With Chelsea already shelling out a cool 30 million Euros for Cesc Fabregas this summer, it appears that the Blues are preparing to dig deeper into their Russian owner’s pockets. At the forefront of their shopping list is Juventus’ Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has been linked to a Chelsea-record 60 million Euro move. Whether that number is accurate or not is left to be seen, but nonetheless it would be a shocking move.
If Costa is not the striker of the future for Chelsea then it appears the London side have found someone else to fill that role. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Germany’s Borussia Dortmund could very well be the theoretical number nine next season, even though that number is currently occupied.
Aubameyang’s father his disputed the proposition that his son will be heading to London, stating, “There is no truth in these rumors. My son will carry on at Borussia Dortmund.” The Gabonese front man tallied thirteen goals last season for the German runners-up, after a move less than a year prior from French team Saint Etienne.
Mourinho Bringing In Madrid Starlet?
This offseason has already seen David Luiz depart for Paris Saint Germain, leaving a gap in options at center back. Chelsea already have Kurt Zouma returning from loan at Saint Etienne, but will look to further strengthen their depth with Real Madrid defender Rafael Varane. The 21 year old is currently gaining valuable experience in the World Cup as starting center back for France, but his history with Mourinho gives him more of an appeal for sure.
With captain John Terry most likely retiring after this season, it would be in the best interest of the club to add another young, talented player like Varane to the ranks of the Chelsea defense. Terry is at the point where he can’t play every match and a Varane-Gary Cahill partnership would look very appealing in the heart of the back line.
