Chelsea should re-evaluate Radja Nainggolan as a summer transfer target
By George Perry
Chelsea will be re-assessing transfer target Radja Nainggolan after a stellar performance against Inter Milan. His recent form has AS Roma firmly in second-place in Serie A.
Chelsea pursued Radja Nainggolan throughout the summer transfer window, making two bids in the mid-£20 million range. AS Roma held firm in their demands for £35 million, leaving Chelsea to settle for their back-up plan: N’Golo Kante.
Sometimes things just work out like that.
Nainggolan has been one of the keys to AS Roma’s success and consistency throughout the season. He is tied for the second-most goals (nine) on the team with ex-Chelsea man Mohamed Salah. He is second at Roma with 1.6 key passes per game and draws 1.8 fouls per game.
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His recent performances, though, have turned Roma’s sights away from Napoli at their heels and towards closing the gap with Juventus atop Serie A. He has five goals in his last four Serie A games. He scored a brace of screamers against Inter Milan, with his second goal somehow eclipsing his first.
CalcioMercato.com reports that AS Roma are already playing defence against the inevitable transfer bids. They know that Antonio Conte eyed Nainggolan even before arriving at Chelsea, and that the Blues have the coffers to lure him away. Roma will supposedly offer to match any wage packet presented by Chelsea or another suitor to keep Nainggolan in Rome.
Chelsea’s midfield situation was much more desperate during the 2016 Nainggolan chase. The Blues still do not have an offensively powerful box-to-box midfielder, but N’Golo Kante keeps the midfield under control. This enables Cesc Fabregas (when he plays) to create scoring chances through his passing, while ensuring Chelsea win midfield battles on both sides of the ball.
A Nainggolan-Kante link-up in Chelsea’s midfield would be formidable in every aspect. They would be sufficient as the central midfielders in a 3-4-3, or could partner with Fabregas or Nathaniel Chalobah in a 3-5-2.
However, Nainggolan’s long-term value is limited by two significant factors: his age and his lifestyle. Nainggolan is 28 years old, and is well-known for his throwback habits of drinking and smoking during the season. Former Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said of Nainggolan’s smoking: “It will be his problem if he only plays to 30 years old instead of 35.”
Wilmots and other coaches have tolerated Nainggolan’s habits. It is hard to imagine Antonio Conte doing the same. Aside from Conte’s well-established attention to players’ nutrition and lifestyle, Nainggolan could also jeopardize team discipline and cohesion. Giving Nainggolan a pass on behaviour that no other player could get away with opens the door to “whataboutism,” appearances of favourtism and other slippery slopes.
Even without the vices, Nainggolan is already into his prime years. Chelsea would be buying a player for the now, rather than the long-term. By contrast, Chelsea’s other major midfield transfer target – Marco Verratti – is only 24 and to all appearances has a more professional lifestyle. Chelsea would get many more years out of Verratti, with significantly less potential for drama.
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Marco Verratti will cost much more than Radja Nainggolan, but is better value for the pound. Nainggolan is in great form, but it is not enough to justify a transfer.