July 8, 2014; Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL; Germany player Sami Khedira (left) battles for the ball with Brazil player Fernandinho during the semifinal match in the 2014 World Cup at Mineirao Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports
With less than 80 days until the next transfer window and no club football for approaching 10 days now, it’s really no wonder then that the transfer rumour mill goes into overdrive, and top of the list today is the rumoured ‘swap deal’ of Chelsea FC’s Petr Cech for Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira, giving the Blue’s the edge over rivals Arsenal in the race for Khedira’s signature.
Unfortunately for Khedira, the timing of a visit (yesterday) to England’s St. George’s Park development facility for his sponsor Nike, has of course lead to the general sports press corp determining that whilst here, the German midfielder would be stopping off at either, or both of Stamford Bridge and the Emirates to tie up a transfer deal that has been rumbling on for the past four months or so.
So what’s the truth, if any in the backpage headlines stating that Petr Cech now holds the key to where Khedira will be playing his football next year?
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What we do know:
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti cannot guarantee Khedira a starting berth at the Bernabeu and has only offered two outings so far this season. That’s no surprise given the wealth of talent ahead of him, and the incredible form of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
If Khedira wants regular football, it has to be away from Madrid.
We also know that Arsenal players are again dropping like flies, with an ever-lengthening queue outside the treatment room at their London Colney training facility.
Khedira to Arsenal may well be reaching a ‘must have at any cost’ scenario, if the Gunners are to ensure they can play with enough quality players on the pitch and not have to resort to untried youngsters (again).
It’s also becoming increasingly likely that Chelsea’s Petr Cech will be leaving in January and whilst there are likely to be a host of top teams squabbling for his signature, Real Madrid’s Ancelotti already has a relationship with the shot-stopper from his time as manager at the Bridge back in 2010.
May 23, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez (32) takes a shot as Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech (1) watches the ball at Busch Stadium. Manchester City defeated Chelsea 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
What we don’t know:
Does Jose Mourinho really want/need Sami Khedira? Mourinho was the man responsible for bringing Khedira to Madrid in the first place, so it’s likely Jose has belief in the player’s abilities.
When Real won La Liga under Mourinho, everything in the Bernabeu appeared rosy, but as we all know, things very quickly went downhill from that point onward. What is the relationship with his former midfield star?
Other complications:
If Madrid do really want Cech, what happens to Iker Casillas? And what of the rumour that Real want to bring former Atletico keeper David de Gea back to Spain and install the current Manchester United keeper as the long term successor to Casillas, as is the case with the Spanish national team.
So what’s the plausibility?
Courtesy of Flickr user InMouWeTrust
In my opinion it depends on four things. Firstly does Mourinho really want Sami Khedira?
Secondly, can Thibaut Courtois stay fit? We saw from the Arsenal game that keepers can get injured (take Cech as a prime example and the head injury received against Reading which resulted in the head gear).
Sure Mark Schwarzer is still fit and active, but if Cech is still contracted to the team, you’re always going to play him ahead of the former Fulham man.
Thirdly, does Cech want to go to Real whilst Casillas is still top dog? Casillas, just like former Real striker Raul, is going to take some moving. Fans of ‘Los Blancos’ really don’t like to see upstart managers messing about with their heros and Cech may find he’s swapped one bench in west London for a slightly warmer one in the Spanish sunshine.
Finally, where do United sit in all this? Real Madrid will of course have de Gea on their radar. To have the Spanish No:1 in their squad is something that president Florentino Pérez will have top of his list and will not give up easily.
I’ll stick my neck out and say Khedira will go to Arsenal. They need him more, whilst Chelsea need to bolster their defence and strike force ahead of a midfield already stuffed with high quality talent.
More’s the point… Sami Khedira or Paul Pogba?
What do you think?