Mainstream media and social media alike have been awash with stories that Philippe Coutinho is set to return to the English Premier League. This time plying his trade with Chelsea. Having already finalised the transfer of Hakim Ziyech in principle, Frank Lampard seems to be cranking the pressure up to get timely acquisitions and bolster his squad if Chelsea is to compete for silverware during his tenure. Which got me thinking. Who does Chelsea really, and I mean really, need? I am a keyboard Chelsea fan and this is what I make of Chelseaʻs squad at the moment.
The arrival of the Wizard of Amsterdam
With Willian and Pedro almost certain to leave at the end of the season, Hakimʻs transfer is a thoughtful one. Beyond any reasonable doubt. The Magician or the Oz as he is fondly referred to can cut in from the right or play as an auxillary number 10. But Frank would be wise to use him primarily on the flanks having seen how devastating he can be against top European sides.
Coutinho? Expensive bargain or not
The rise of Mason Mount and the imminent return of Ruben Loftus Cheek will surely have Marina having second thoughts on drafting in Coutinho. We saw the Brazilianʻs best at Liverpool. He produced glimpses of his quality at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Is the one time hot prospect, now a reject worth a risk taking? Methinks yes. Play Coutinho behind a target man and give him an opportunity to roam freely in the final third. Something close to what Jurgen Klopp did. Should he be able to replicate his Anfield form at the Bridge, and at just 28 years, maybe, just maybe, Chelsea will finally find the missing cog in their attack.
The talent that is Jadon Sancho
Talking of attack. What about Jadon Sancho? The same Sancho who has registered 39 goal returns this season. The same Sancho who is being pursued heavily by European heavyweights but supposedly has a bond with Mount and Tammy Abraham. How will Lampard assemble a team having Pulisic, Odoi, Ziyech and Sancho? Who will play and who wonʻt?But first, my opinion, get Sancho and Coutinho if you can. Like yesterday !
Squad depth
For any team to be formidable on many fronts, you need an apt squad depth. The kind Zidane has at Real Madrid. Zidane nowadays has the luxury of benching Marcelo and Luka Modric. The same way Pep would bench Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez in their title winning run last season. A squad that has a lot of world class players needs a coach who can keep everyone happy. Lampard has proven he can, he isnʻt rigid with his squad selections(frowns Sarri). You prove yourself, you get your chance.
Leading the line
Iʻd be brief on the striker part. Allow Batman to leave. Recommend him to the board to be a fulltime Twitter admin. Allow Big Oli to see out his career in MLS league, Vissel Kobe or wherever he deems fit. Then get Moussa dembele from Lyon to tell Tammy that hey, we really appreciate you coming in and breaking the number 9 curse, but we need more.
Jorginho, Kovacic , Kante and Billy Goatmour all remain. Imagine disagreeing.
Defensive options
Sell Emerson to Juventus. I am surprised they want young players this time round. Get Alex Sandro as part of that deal to be used in a 4-3-3 formation but listen to this, Marcos Alonso to be used in any formation that doesnʻt require him to do a lot of tracking back. Mans can be a secondary striker. Retain ball playing defenders; Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen. Tony Rudiger is gungho but he offers a different dimension to that defence, he remains. Iʻd chop Zouma in favour of an established centre back. Milan Skriniar please. Azpilicueta can remain for as long as he wants. We already have his position covered in Recce James.
I can hear you mumbling what about Ben Chilwell. Stop that nonsense, please.
Kepa? Top young keeper. With a lot of potential. My first choice every day, anyday and twice when we are playing Liverpool.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a squad that can fill up your trophy cabinet.
You can now bring in your rebuttals.
THE TOUCHLINE 