The price point for signing Paul Pogba seems to be going to an astronomical height every game. Juventus might be celebrating a 5th consecutive Serie A title but that does not mean that they would be able to hold onto their star attraction.
The Turin club have constantly stated that they would be selling the star as long as they got the right amount for the 23-year-old. Pogba on his part hasn’t really spoken out a lot about moving away from Italy but he would also be wanting to play at the highest level and the Premier League would be a great option for the talented Frenchman.
Chelsea are a club that has often been linked with a move for the midfielder but with the price going higher and higher, incoming manager Antonio Conte might not want to be willing to purchase the star for the crazy money being touted, close to 78 million pounds.
The London club do need some new blood in their midfield and here are three options who could do the job for the Blues.
Koke
Antonio Conte likes players who are willing to do the tough job of tracking back and attacking when there is a need and there probably is no one better than that at the moment than Atletico Madrid’s Koke.
The 24-year-old is already a La Liga winner under a similar kind of manager, Diego Simeone and with a load of experience of playing for one of the toughest sides in modern football, Koke would be an ideal player to have at Chelsea for Conte. Koke might have been overshadowed by Saul Niguez this season but he certainly can get the job done and would not cost a bomb like Pogba.
Davy Klaassen
Sometimes it is better to try your luck with a rising star than spending a ton of money on a player that is a big star already. Klaassen is a player who has been making waves in the Eredivisie but for some reason has not made the jump to another league yet.
With more than 120 games under his belt for Ajax, it could be time for the talented 23-year-old to move to Chelsea. He isn’t someone who is great at defending and is known more for his attacking ability than anything else but Conte could spring a surprise and pairing him in the attacking with Costa could be a thing of beauty for Chelsea next season.
Yaya Toure
Before the pitchforks come out, you do need to have a look at the condition that Yaya Toure is in. He does not seem to be as interested while playing for Manchester City and with Pep Guardiola coming in, you can be sure that the Ivorian would be the first player leaving the club.
Toure though is a powerhouse and even though he is 32-years of age, he can still bring the change in the team. He has bundles of energy and can score goals at will. Toure could be the guy who can turn things around at Chelsea next season and he would come at a snip of the cost that Pogba is being rumoured to be worth. The fact that Toure knows the league and country well will surely play a part as Chelsea plan for next season.
Chelsea
Sonia Bompastor Refuses to Address Sam Kerr Exit Speculation Amid Chelsea Striker’s Uncertain Future
Sonia Bompastor has declined to discuss Sam Kerr’s future at Chelsea amid mounting speculation the Australian superstar will walk away from Stamford Bridge as a free agent this summer. The prolific striker’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, with numerous reports claiming she has already decided to leave after seven years in English football.
Bompastor shut down questions about Kerr’s situation during her pre match press conference, stating that both the forward and captain Millie Bright, remain under contract for now. The Chelsea boss made clear she will not be drawn into speculation about player futures while matches remain to be played this season.
Sam Kerr Departure Would End Glorious Era
The potential exit of Kerr alongside long time captain Bright would signal the end of Chelsea’s most successful period in their history. The club has already lost Guro Reiten permanently, while Catarina Macario is heading to America on what reports claim will be a record shattering NWSL contract worth millions.
Chelsea appears committed to rebuilding around younger talent rather than extending deals for established stars entering the latter stages of their careers. This strategic shift could see several high profile names depart simultaneously this summer.
American Clubs Preparing Lucrative Offers for Sam Kerr
Multiple NWSL franchises are circling for Kerr’s signature, hoping to lure the Australian back to the United States, where she previously starred before joining Chelsea. The American league has dramatically increased investment in recent years, offering salaries that can now compete with European clubs.
Ian Wright publicly criticized any decision to offer Kerr merely a short extension rather than a substantial long term deal, arguing her legendary status deserves better recognition. However, Chelsea’s transfer strategy appears already set, with youth recruitment taking priority over sentiment towards club icons nearing the end of their peak years.
Chelsea
26-Year-Old Set for $8M Move to San Diego Wave as Chelsea Striker Expected to Leave Stamford Bridge With Transfer Window Nearing Final Days
Catarina Macario is expected to leave Chelsea F.C. Women and complete a move to San Diego Wave FC with the transfer window nearing its final days. Reports suggest the NWSL side is working quickly to finalize the deal, which could be worth roughly $8 million in total contract value.
The proposed transfer fee is believed to be around $300,000, which is frankly a favorable outcome for Chelsea given that Macario’s contract expires this summer. Without a sale now, the American international could have left the club as a free agent at the end of the season, which would have been disastrous business.
San Diego Using High Impact Player Rule
San Diego Wave are planning to sign the forward using the NWSL’s High Impact Player rule, a mechanism that allows clubs to pay certain star players up to $1 million outside the league’s salary cap. To qualify, players must meet specific performance or profile criteria, which Macario certainly does.
The current NWSL salary cap stands at $3.7 million, making the rule an important tool for attracting top international talent. This represents a significant investment from San Diego, who are absolutely serious about building a championship winning squad.
Has Not Featured Regularly for Chelsea
Macario has not featured regularly for Chelsea in recent weeks, partly due to injury concerns and the uncertainty surrounding her future. Despite her absence, Chelsea recently secured their first trophy of the season by defeating Manchester United Women in the Women’s League Cup final.
The London club remain active on multiple fronts, still competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and preparing for the quarter final stage of the Women’s FA Cup.
Chelsea Sit Third in WSL
However, Chelsea’s domestic league campaign has been more challenging. For the first time in five seasons, they are no longer clear favorites for the Women’s Super League title under manager Sonia Bompastor.
Chelsea
Joe Montemurro Makes Remarkable Juventus vs Chelsea Comparison After Matildas Gets Past Best Team at Asia Cup
Joe Montemurro showed a flexibility to his approach in the Women’s Asian Cup quarter finals that meant the Matildas prevailed by adapting to the circumstances in front of them, even if it was contradictory to the style that is in his DNA. Australia edged North Korea 2-1 in Perth to make the semi finals in what was a resilient performance against the tournament’s best team.
“Let’s be frank and honest here. Winning football games like that, it usually happens in tournaments,” Montemurro said after the victory. The Italian boss then turned to his captain, Sam Kerr, in the press conference and referenced one of his key wins in European football with Juventus against her Chelsea side.
Had 450 Million Shots and We Had One
“I’ve done it a few times like that in Champions League. I think there was a game against Chelsea, we got a draw. They had 450 million shots, and we had one,” Montemurro said with a smile. This Champions League reference perfectly illustrated the type of performance Australia needed to overcome North Korea.
He added, “We knew that they were a great side. They’re the best team in the tournament. They really are. So we just had to be methodical. Where we won the game were the little bits in between, as we were losing the ball or as we were winning the ball to keep our shape and keep our organisation. We didn’t create much. We had to resist a lot.”
It’s Who I Am But Part of Remit to Win
Montemurro was absolutely honest about abandoning his preferred style for tournament pragmatism. “Do I want to play a possession based game? Do I want to keep the ball? It’s who I am. It’s my DNA, but part of my remit is to win football matches,” he explained.
He continued, “Sometimes you have to have that flexibility. At this level, it’s all about moments. It’s all about taking those moments.”
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