Home / Features / WORLD CUP WONDERS – TRANSFER TARGET WISH LIST

WORLD CUP WONDERS – TRANSFER TARGET WISH LIST

The club have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far with only one new addition to the squad next year in creative midfielder Yossi Benayoun. Given the overinflated price tags that midfielders Di Maria and David Silva have chalked up recently getting such a proven, quality premiership player for a fraction of the cost already looks like a very astute piece of business. Well done to all involved.  However, with at least three experienced internationals leaving already this summer (and Deco almost certain to follow), it would make sense to get some new blood in before the season starts next month. We’ve missed the boat on a couple of star performers already, namely David Villa and Yaya Toure. There are also many great players who’ve had forgettable performances in this tournament so we won’t dwell on those too much, suffice to say Chelsea rumour merchants Fernando Torres and Sergio Aguero would be most welcome at the Bridge. Who’s shone the brightest at this world cup and who would we like to see take the double-winning squad forward? Here are a few suggestions…

Sebastian Schweinsteiger

Laying claim to be player of the tournament, ‘Basti’ has been a class apart at times and the heartbeat of the stylish German side. After dominating the Argentine and English midfields he then took on the Spanish in the semi-finals and met a wall of passing excellence. Cultured passing, accomplished technical skills, fantastic vision and enough tricks up his sleeve to give Paul Daniels sleepless nights  has been simply outstanding in central midfield.

Likelihood: An ideal replacement for Michael Ballack his star performances may just have priced him out of contention. Ditto Wesley Sneijder.

Diego Forlan

Forlan continued his exceptional end of season form into the tournament and was undoubtedly one of the star performers. It wasn’t just his goals that were impressive (and a few of those rockets from outside of the box were impressive) but his overall play. He dropped deeper to link up play, threaded passes through defences, worked the channels and still found time to get on the end of crosses. An impressive forward currently at the top of his game.

Likelihood: Unlikely to leave Athletico and these days Chelsea are just as unlikely to spend big on a player the wrong side of 30.

Thomas Muller

The one thing we’ve lacked going forward at times last season was genuine pace. Still only 20, Muller has set the world cup alight as Germany’s right sided forward. He has pace to burn, an excellent work ethic and a keen eye for goal. Four well-taken goals in five games have proved how clinical he can be and would suit a position on the right of a front three perfectly.

Likelihood: It’s a shame then that Bayern would probably sooner sell Robben or Ribery than their wunderbar kid.

Alexis Sánchez

Kudos has to go to Pat Nevin for pointing out this 21 year-old Chilean out on the official site, it’s fair to say he knows a good winger when he sees one. Already Sánchez has notched eleven international goals but missed out adding to that tally in this tournament. Even so his wizardry on the wing marked him as Chile’s star performer. As you’d expect for a South American he’s a terrific dribbler and a low centre of gravity means he can turn on a sixpence. Full of explosive pace, energy and trickery El Niño Maravilla would again be an ideal signing to boost the Chelsea frontline.

Likelihood: Udinese might be willing to part with a fans favourite at the right price.

Merut Ozil

The third German in this speculative list has been their creative linchpin, a gifted playmaker who has been full of invention in this tournament and would fit into that Joe Cole shaped hole in our side quite nicely. Not only does he have the intelligence to make things happen but the technical ability to bamboozle defences. Has the potential to be a visionary number ten in a Chelsea shirt.

Likelihood: Werder Bremen can now probably name their price for the 21 year-old and there is sure to be a queue of takers.

Maximiliano Pareira

There have been few finer right backs in this world cup than Uruguay’s Pareira. He showed his class in the first game, Ribery was in his pocket throughout the 90 minutes and barely touched the Jabulani. Positionally he has been first rate and was also able to maraud forward at ease. Energetic, tenacious in the tackle and keen to be on the front foot his performances were rewarded by a fine finish late in the semi-final.

Likelihood: With Ivanovic, Bosingwa and Ferreira all excellent right backs in their own right it’s a position oversubscribed as it is. Plus Sam Hutchinson and Tomas Kalas will be eyeing up the right back slot over the coming seasons.

Kwadwo Asamoah and Andre Ayew

Gyan may have been busy grabbing the headlines and plaudits in Ghana’s excellent world cup run but behind him were two young players who were impressively making their side tick. Asamoah was the creative playmaker behind the strikers, what he lacked in height and bulk he more than made up with guile. Even more impressive was the midfield powerhouse performances from Andre Ayew who was sharp in the tackle, comfortable on the ball and rarely gave away possession cheaply. These are two players who could have a bright future in world football and where better than to learn their trade than training next to the Bison?

Likelihood: Although promising players we should be looking to our academy for these positions, the likes of Josh Mceachran and Gael Kakuta can be future world-beaters.

Javier Pastore

He didn’t have many minutes on the pitch for Argentina but I was impressed whenever Pastore played, he showed more elegance on the ball and better vision than the often disappointing Di Maria. He looks to be a cultured left winger, capable of beating players with a dribble but not being over elaborate with it. Another young player who has the potential to go on to great things.

Likelihood: You can imagine Palermo would be eager to do business but Pastore doesn’t appear to be on Chelsea’s radar at the moment. Might also be too slight for the hustle and bustle of the premiership.

Pedro

Or Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma to give him his full title. Yet another tricky, diminutive, magical winger from the Barcelona production line. His cameos have oozed creativity and injected some much needed purpose and urgency into Spain’s measured passing game. His performances have been that good it looks as though he might just relegate one of the world’s best strikers to the bench for the world cup final. Apparently he’s still to learn how to square the ball though.

Likelihood: Although Barca look as though they’ve booked an appointment with the bank manager they’d be unlikely to sell such an emerging home-grown talent to a Champions League rival.

That completes the list, let us know if you agree or we’ve missed a world cup talent out …

Comments