As we enter the New Year and the winter transfer market, big clubs are starting to be linked with big transfers and Chelsea FC don’t escape the rumor mill. Indeed, the Blues are linked with a huge swoop in for Welsh star Gareth Bale from Real Madrid.
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The reason why most fans are skeptical about this rumor is because Jose Mourinho played down any transfer directly linked with the first team as he doesn’t see any need for change. Such statement is understood given the performance from the Blues during the first half of this season : they lead the table with 3 points over 2nd place Manchester City. The team is well oiled and seems to be dealing well with playing in 3 competitions at the same time. The team is well balanced with at least two players for each position. So why would they need another player?
Sure, Gareth Bale is a player any team would dream to get. He is fast, strong and has an incredible work-rate. Having already been PFA Player of he year and having already won a Champions League, he would easily fit into any XI.
“Just as I can’t imagine Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo, I can’t imagine Real without Bale either.” – Florentino Perez, Real Madrid President
Except the Blues aren’t “any” eleven, in fact, there is a reason why Chelsea didn’t win trophies last year : it was a year of observation and preparation for José Mourinho, a year in which he, just like a sculptor, was working detail by detail on his team, taking out every flaw one by one. Flaws were seen in Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne and he got rid of them. He let go legends and promising youngsters and brought in others so he could have the perfect team : a team that can score as well as defend.
In terms of attacking, Gareth Bale is a jewel, but Mourinho requires all his players to contribute defensively to some extent. Comparing Hazard of 2013 to the one today, he worked on his fitness a lot so it allows him to help at the back. It is harder to see Gareth Bale tracking back as soon as he gets in the team : he would need at least a couple of months to adjust, and Jose Mourinho doesn’t have a couple of months to sacrifice.
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There is an certain equilibrium on the team: Hazard goes forward from the left and is backed by a defensive leftback in Cesar Azpilicueta while Willian is a more defensive right winger that covers a more offensive right back in Branislav Ivanovic. That’s one of the reasons why Willian is preffered to Schurrle, because he is better at holding the ball and waiting for a support run. Schurrle’s style is very comparable to that of Gareth Bale so it wouldn’t be very wise to have two of the “same” players.