Juan Cuadrado On Chelsea FC’s Radar
Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
Chelsea FC has had a very interesting array of rumors surrounding their January transfer window including the latest focusing on Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado. The month started with a huge spark linking the Blues with Lionel Messi, but all of those have slowly quieted down. Messi himself addressed the rumors calling them lies but in the same breath he said he did not know where he could be next year. Either way that was never a deal that could happen in the January window.
More from The Pride of London
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
Now all eyes seem to be on Mohamed Salah and Andre Schurrle who have been connected with a move away from Stamford Bridge. Schurrle has been linked to moves back home in the Bundesliga for big money. Wolfsburg were the initial front-runners but reports claim that Schurrle prefers a move to Borussia Dortmund.
Mohamed Salah has been linked to a host of Italian clubs including Inter Milan, Napoli, and AS Roma. Inter dropped out after adding Xherdan Shaqiri and the rumors linking him to Napoli have died down. Roma appears to be the most seriously interested but the kinks of that deal would still need to be worked out.
Jose Mourinho has said on a few occasions though that neither player will be sold unless someone new is to be brought in. Juan Cuadrado could be a key replacement for either of these players as he is a natural right winger who would play opposite of Eden Hazard.
Juan Cuadrado had an exceptional season in 2013 and an even better World Cup as he helped lead Colombia to the quarterfinals where they fell to Brazil. There is the rumor spreading that the Colombian is very unsettled at Fiorentina and is looking for a way out, and with a buy out clause in his current contract, it could see him make the move to London.
More from Chelsea FC News
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
- Chelsea sporting directors finally reveal why they sign so many young players
- These 3 new signings may never get a game at Chelsea
Mourinho has reportedly been tracking Cuadrado since he was managing Real Madrid. Cuadrado could be a great addition to the club considering our weakness on the right wing. Though Willian has not been playing terribly on the right side, Cuadrado could definitely bring more dynamism to the squad. Even if was not to fully replace the Brazilian, Cuadrado does look like an upgrade over the options on the bench in Schurrle and Salah.
The Fiorentina man is just 26 years old so he is set to enter the prime of his career. He is also not cup-tied this season as Fiorentina did not participate in this season’s Champions League. A move like this makes sense for all parties involved but we all know that does not always translate to a transfer in the world of football. To add fuel to the speculation, Cuadrado was spotted at Chelsea FC’s league cup clash with Liverpool. He is supposedly a guest of Adidas but it could be another positive sign that he will join the Blues in the coming weeks.
For the rumored €35 million price tag, would you take Juan Cuadrado?