According to The Independent Chelsea are set to look to Newcastle this summer to fix some of the problems prevalent within their squad. The Blues are believed to be on the lookout for a goalkeeper after fears surrounding Petr Cech’s waning ability. It’s not so much that he can’t cut it anymore, it’s just that the club has realised they need an able-bodied replacement who can fill in when Cech moves out.
But the truth is Chelsea need some additional inspiration all over the pitch. Roman Abramovich won’t simply be content with a fourth place finish – he’ll want to build a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title next season. As such, It’s not a big surprise that he’s interested in signing Newcastle’s midfield dynamo Cheick Tiote.
Chelsea’s squad is full of aging legs and experienced heads and as a result they’ve struggled to pick up the results they’ve needed this season. Abramovich is looking to spearhead the Blue’s rebuilding process by bringing in footballers who are either approaching their peak or have already reached it. As such, Tiote would make for a great signing.
He’s just 25-years-old, is one of the toughest, most competitive footballers in the Premier League and can offer Chelsea more strength in midfield but not at the expense of their passing game. Tiote can spray the ball about as well as he can tackle and this is surely what makes him an attractive prospect.
Krul is just 23-years-old and has managed to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s finest young goalkeepers this season. For me, he’s up there with Joe Hart when it comes to the League’s most consistent keepers and given his age I’m sure that Chelsea will view him as a potential replacement for Petr Cech.
Which brings us to the money – according to The Independent, Chelsea are willing to offer £20m for Tiote and £10m for Tim Krul. But aren’t these figures wildly off the mark, especially considering the Blues were willing to pay £50m for Torres a couple of Januarys ago?
A decent young goalkeeper is an extremely valuable commodity in football nowadays. If Manchester United were willing to pay £20m for David De Gea last summer, it seems fair for Newcastle to hold out for at least £15m for Krul. As for Tiote, he loves Newcastle and is part of a club who is clearly moving forward. Would he even fancy a move to a club like Chelsea (who from the outside looking in, appear to be on the slide)?
I’m not sure that £20m is an accurate evaluation either. He’s one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and he’s yet to hit his peak. He’s fiercely competitive and in many ways reminds me of the Michael Essien of old who Chelsea scooped up from Lyon for £24.4m back in 2005. If they want Tiote, they may have to pay a similar fee.
If the Blues are genuinely interested in acquiring these players they are going to have to seriously up their evaluations, because one thing’s for sure – Newcastle aren’t going to want to sell.
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I think you can almost guarantee Tiote will not want to go to Chelsea as the superstar/flash is everything he dislikes.
As I have said several times before and believe me I know for a fact you would have to drag Chieck kicking and screaming from Newcastle, and I doubt many at the club would be willing to even discuss with him the possibility of leaving his beloved Toon.
If De Gea cost 20 mil, how come you only value Krul at 15? He’s equally as good and probably better! ….No less than 25mil