Eleventh hour silly transfer rumours: Chelsea eye Sead Kolasinac, Moussa Dembele
By George Perry
Just over 24 hours remain in the January transfer window, so rumours can officially fly with reckless abandon. Chelsea apparently really want to do business with Brendan Rodgers, and forgot that they cannot loan out Kenedy again.
The January transfer window had moments of silliness, but overall was relatively quiet. Lest we feel short-changed, Chelsea are now linked with last minute deals for Schalke’s Sead Kolasinac and Celtic’s Moussa Dembele.
Celtic and former Blues reserve coach (some would say legend) Brendan Rodgers already rebuffed an approach for goalkeeper Craig Gordon. Chelsea cannot move Asmir Begovic until they sign his replacement as Thibaut Courtois’ backup. Celtic flatly stated that Craig Gordon is not for sale.
Chelsea, apparently wanting to reconnect with Rodgers, have shifted their attention to Moussa Dembele. Sky Sports reports that the striker would cost the Blues £40 million. Dembele has 20 goals in all competitions this season. Given his role in Celtic winning 21 of their 22 game so far this season, Rodgers understandably does not want to part with him.
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At £40 million, Dembele’s 10 minutes-per-game would cost even more than Michy Batshuayi’s. Antonio Conte would not abruptly shift to a two-striker front simply because Dembele arrived. The Frenchman would be consigned to the bench, which would either send Batshuayi on loan, to the reserves or possibly to the Dmitri Payet / Leonardo Ulloa school of player-club relations.
At the other end of the pitch, Chelsea supposedly want to bring in left-back Sead Kolasinac. This would come on the heels of recalling left-back Nathan Ake from Bournemouth, and foreclosing the possibility of a second-half loan for left-wing back Kenedy. The only person who might welcome Kolasinac to the side is Gary Cahill, because Cahill could easily maintain his position at left-side centre-back if Kolasinac is his main competition.
These rumours reek of January 30. If there is a shred of credibility in any of them, it would stem from the classic disconnect between the technical director and the manager. Antonio Conte has brought the loan and development policy well under his purview in the last six months. But that would not stop Michael Emenalo from conducting business and dropping another player in Conte’s lap.
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Let’s hope it’s the former explanation. The Blues have needs, but neither Sead Kolasinac nor Moussa Dembele satisfy them. As we’re fond of saying, Chelsea may be dumb at times, but they’re not sign-Kolasinac-after-recalling-Ake-and-Kenedy dumb.