Chelsea should sell Nemanja Matic if price is right
The latest transfer rumour concerning Chelsea claims that Juventus are looking to swoop for Nemanja Matic. They should sell him if the price is right.
As we inch ever closer to the start of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign, the transfer rumour mill is kicking into overdrive. The latest story links Juventus with an audacious move for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic. While controversial, the Blues should move the player on should a lucrative offer come in.
The Daily Mail is the source of the report, as the publication claims that Juventus are looking to use the proceeds from a potential Paul Pogba deal to purchase some high-profile talent.
"Nemanja Matic is the top target for Juventus as they search for Paul Pogba’s replacement…Juventus will use the [Pogba] money to sign Argentine centre forward Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli and a midfielder in Pogba’s athletic style."
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Nemanja Matic endured a 2015/16 season that fell much in line with the team’s fortunes. He was thoroughly disappointing, failing to live up to the extremely high standards that he had set the year before.
In fact, Matic’s underperformance laid bare the extent to which Chelsea had leaned on him during their most recent double-winning campaign.
As is natural in the media-centric and blood-thirsty modern world, poor displays inevitably led to rumours of discontent with regard to Matic. While these have died down, this Juventus story resurrects the prospect of him leaving.
In Chelsea’s current situation, the club may be wise to listen to some offers. With Antonio Conte bringing a new style and intensity to West London, no incumbent Chelsea player is immune from being cut.
Should a Paul Pogba deal go through, Juventus will have a lot of cash to play with. Importantly, Chelsea will know this and will be able to use the fact to their advantage. If played correctly, the Blues could drive Matic’s price to eye-watering levels.
Furthemore, the arrival of N’Golo Kante is vital. With the former Leicester City midfielder now on-board, Conte has a direct replacement (and arguably a better player) lying in wait. Some fans are even arguing that Kante should start ahead of Matic should such a decision be required.
Chelsea have spent in excess of £60 million so far this summer, but they are yet to make any significant sales. Conte is thought to be eyeing a few more acquisitions over the next 12 months, as he tries to manage his funds appropriately.
However, a lucrative deal with a keen Juventus for Nemanja Matic could accelerate the process and return Chelsea to England’s footballing summit quicker than expected.
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Of course, having already sold the Serbian once, there will be fears that a repeat will be irreversible and will eventually hurt them. Taking all factors into account, though, £50 million would render this a risk worth taking.