Antonio Conte would no doubt be one of the busiest managers this summer. Though he was able to win the Premier League title with his current squad members, there are some areas he needs to improve on this summer. This has seen him linked with some of the star players in Europe and one of the linked players who is close to signing a deal with the club is Real Madrid outcast, James Rodriguez.
Without a doubt one of the best playmaker in the game at the moment, the £44m rated star rose to prominence with an outstanding performance in the 2014 World Cup, which earned him a spot in the Barcelona squad. However he has not been a permanent fixture in the first team under three managers at the club and he is now ready for a move.
At 25, he is yet to come full into himself as a player and in the 35 appearances he made for the Spanish club last term, he scored 11 goals and provided 13 assists, displaying his capabilities. An excellent dribbler, who can boast of most of the skills in the book, the Colombian is a master at passing the ball with a flawless vision.
He will be a massive upgrade on either Pedro or Willian in the Blues attack. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were the ones who manned Chelsea attack all through the last season. Willian and Michy Batshuayi were the only available backups for Chelsea in an attacking role, which makes Rodriguez a must have.
Though not a natural winger,l the 25-year-old has shown he is capable of playing in the wings without fault and in a 3-4-3 formation, he will definitely thrive in a wider role. He is not necessarily expected to struggle for a place in the first team and if Chelsea manage to add him to the ranks at the Bridge, they need not look to bring on another winger or playmaker, and can divert the whole of their attention to finding Costa’s replacement.
At 25, Rodriguez can only get better and he will surely be an integral part of the team next season. His price tag is high but that should not pose any problem for the Premier League champions. With not too many top class players ready to leave their comfort zone this summer, Rodriguez might be the best option for Chelsea.
They have to eliminate all competition from other clubs as well, but Chelsea need to sign a top class winger this summer and all they need do is look towards the Colombian.