OPINION
Chelsea are reportedly after Barcelona utility man Sergi Roberto this summer as the man to replace midfielder Nemanja Matic who has since joined Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Spanish newspaper Sport claim Antonio Conte’s side have turned their attention towards the 25-year-old La Masia academy product this summer, as they look to add midfield options to their squad.
It is said that Roberto has a £36million release clause in his contract with Ernesto Valverde’s squad, which Chelsea could look to meet despite Roberto’s desire to continue winning the La Liga title with his boyhood side.
The report states that the loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield has cast doubts at Stamford Bridge and has give Conte a renewed enthusiasm to add to his squad in the coming weeks.
As well as Matic, the Blues have also sold Nathaniel Chalobah to Watford and have just Spaniard Cesc Fabregas, new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko and PFA Player of the Season N’Golo Kante to choose from in the middle of the park. And Bakayoko is currently injured.
Here, This Is Futbol considers whether a move to sign Roberto would be good for Chelsea’s 2017-18 campaign, as well as if such a move is likely:
Good move for Chelsea?
Roberto would give Conte top-quality cover in the middle of the park, as well as experience in the Champions League and a winning mentality that has seen him hold aloft four La Liga trophies.
Barcelona’s number 20 would also offer cover on the right flank after spending the 2016-17 season on the right side of the defence, filling the void left by Dani Alves who has since played for Juventus and PSG.
Victor Moses is seen as a weak link in the Chelsea side on the right flank despite scoring against Arsenal in the Community Shield, and Roberto could be used to replace him.
At just £36million, Roberto would be seen as a cheap alternative to plenty of other options currently on the market with little quality separating him from the best in the world.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10.
Likely to happen?
It seems as though it would take a mammoth task to convince Roberto to leave the Nou Camp this summer, after being produced through the ranks and becoming an integral part of the first team.
But with just two years remaining on his contract at the Nou Camp, the three-time Spain international could become expendable under Valverde and would instantly hit the ground running in west London.
He would do that by teaming up with former Barcelona teammates Pedro and Fabregas, as well as fellow countrymen Marcos Alonso, Diego Costa, Cesar Azpilicueta and new signing Alvaro Morata.
The release clause would see Barcelona have no say in a deal if the clause is met by Chelsea in the next three weeks, which makes a deal likely to occur.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10.