For the most part of the summer transfer window, it looked like Chelsea were having a rather quiet one after adding both Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante. However, deadline day changed that dramatically, with Antonio Conte sanctioning moves for Marcos Alonso and David Luiz to bolster their defensive options considerably.
Their transfer window could’ve been even better, too. Chelsea were all set to sign Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan, after agreeing a £21million fee to land him, according to Calciomercato. The deal was believed to be all done between the two sides last week, but it fell through and now they’ll have to pay double if they want to bring in Brozovic.
His agent has spoken out about the deal, and revealed that he’ll put pen to paper on a new contract with Milan, adding they’ll be a £42million release clause in place.
“Yes, he’ll sign a new contract,” Brozovic’s agent Miroslav Bicanic said.
“Chelsea? The contract would have been better but for Marcelo money is not everything.”
The 23-year-old from Zagreb is a hugely talented midfielder, and I doubt the transfer fee will change things too much for Roman Abramovic, so if he keeps playing to his capabilities, this move could happen in the future.
Another man who had often been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the summer also plies his trade in Italy; Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese centre-back is again, one of the most highly-rated talents in the Serie A at the moment, and Chelsea were clearly keen on bolstering their defensive options with Koulibaly. In the end, they had to settle for David Luiz as the 25-year-old decided to stay put with Napoli.
“I decided to stay because I feel good with this team,” Koulibaly is quoted as saying.
“I know that when I decide to leave, I will do it without problems.”
“A 30 thousand fine for my statements? They were written many things, but it is not true.”
“I have a good relationship with the management of the Napoli.”
Overall, Koulibaly would’ve probably been a better long-term option than the Brazilian Luiz, but if he was intent on staying in Naples then there isn’t an awful lot Conte could’ve done about that. It doesn’t seem to have affected Chelsea much so far though, with the Stamford Bridge club winning their opening three Premier League games in convincing style.
The final piece of news we have for you today is regarding David Luiz’s new Chelsea squad number. Last time around, the 29-year-old wore the #4 jersey, but that is currently held by Francesc Fabregas.
David Luiz took to Twitter yesterday to confirm that he’d take the #30 jersey for the remainder of the season, after his huge £30million move from Paris Saint-Germain.
You do struggle to see exactly where he’ll fit into things under Conte. Perhaps a role just in front of the back four is more suited to his style of play, because we all know just how capable he is when in possession of the football.
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