AS Roma trio reappear in Chelsea transfer rumours

Three familiar names – and one very unique haircut – are once again linked with Chelsea in the transfer rumour mill. Chelsea can do better with their Oscar windfall than this trio from AS Roma.

Chelsea’s success in the 3-4-3 deflated much of the transfer speculation of the first half of the Premier League season. Something about 11 straight wins and a 23-2 aggregate score lessens the sense of urgency around a new striker and reinforcing the back-line.

The impending deposit of £60 million into Chelsea’s coffers for selling Oscar is sparking new interest in the Blues’ transfer activities. With the team seemingly solid across the pitch and Antonio Conte demonstrating various ways to win, the question is less about what Chelsea needs than who do they want.

More from Chelsea FC Transfer Rumours

• Shocking transfer news as Chelsea open to selling star player Reece James
• The real reason why Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen rejected Burnley
• Chelsea’s agreement with Lukaku revealed as EPL club lurk
• Chelsea to spend £85m on two young stars as release clause activated
• Chelsea want to hijack Liverpool for a second signing

Kostas Manolas, Antonio Rudiger and Radja Nainggolan are all back in the speculation circuit. All three play for AS Roma, and all three were supposedly transfer targets during the summer transfer window. Nainggolan attracted the most chatter (we did our part), but N’Golo Kante’s signing effectively foreclosed any possibility of the mohawked Belgian’s arrival.

Manolas and Rudiger would be like-for-like replacements for John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic. Both senior defenders will presumably depart or retire at the end of this season. Ivanovic may even leave on loan in January. Manolas and Rudiger would take their place in the squad, and would offer new competition for Chelsea’s back-three.

Neither player would be guaranteed an immediate spot in Chelsea’s lineup given the Blues’ current defensive strength. In addition to the Blues’ current starters they would also battle Kurt Zouma and, eventually, Andreas Christensen.

Radja Nainggolan continues to be an enigmatic prospect. His tenacity and work-rate would easily displace Nemanja Matic, and would be a great complement to N’Golo Kante. If Chelsea were working on a normal transfer budget, Nainggolan would once more be at the top of the list.

But with £60 million to work with, Chelsea can do much better than Nainggolan by buying Marco Verratti. And whereas AS Roma will likely fight to keep Nainggolan, Verratti is actively seeking a transfer out of Paris-Saint Germain.

Verratti has all of Nainggolan’s most attractive attributes, but with greater versatility and finesse through midfield. A Verratti-Kante pairing in the middle of either a four- or five-man holding midfield would drive Chelsea’s success in the Premier League and in the Champions League. Nainggolan could be a useful addition. But Verratti would be a Kante-esque addition.

Next: Mikel John Obi prefers European football to Chinese money

Chelsea have the dual advantages of a massive kitty and no urgent needs. This will give Marina Gronovskaia the upper hand in any negotiations, and prevent a panic buy or any other sloppy business. AS Roma will have to look elsewhere to meet their financial fair play obligations.