The FA Cup final will give Chelsea one final, close-up look at a top transfer target: Arsenal’s dissatisfied, out-of-place forward Alexis Sanchez.
Signing Alexis Sanchez would be a solid piece of business but a legendary moment in the historic tete-a-tete between Chelsea and Arsenal. Sanchez kept all of Arsenal’s hopes alive this season, often the only player who roused himself to do so. Letting him leave would be a stunning abdication of Arsenal’s ambition and pride. Selling him to Chelsea would relinquish any lingering claim Arsenal may think they still have to being one of London’s top clubs.
Sanchez was the only Arsenal player visibly upset by the degradation of the club’s culture and mentality. Even if Arsenal were willing to accept mediocrity for their club, Sanchez personally could not tolerate it. Antonio Conte, with his passion and his winning mentality, would be a welcome change of pace for the Chilean.
Alexis Sanchez would balance Chelsea’s attack on the wings. His arrival would create a significant challenge for Willian and Pedro, but give Chelsea equal options on either side of the pitch.
"Alexis Sanchez with Eden Hazard and any centre-forward is suddenly along the talent levels of a Barcelona or Real Madrid front three. That’s a very different proposition for Premier League teams to have to deal with. He pops in 15-20 goals a year at a minimum, is unbelievably quick and his fitness levels are out of this world. – Barrett Rouen, The Blue Lions"
A player of Sanchez’s experience and quality could alleviate the various pressures on Chelsea’s strikers. Sanchez and Hazard would combine for about 40 goals a year, while occupying much of the opposition’s attention. Antonio Conte could rotate his strikers, ensuring that his top striker is rested and recovered for high stakes games. The increased rotation could also ensure a higher level of performance late in the season.
This would create an ideal situation for a young striker such as Bertrand Traore or Tammy Abraham. They could play in the first team without high pressure to score and without heavy challenge from the opponent.
Related Story: Atletico Madrid keep Diego Costa interest alive as Tianjin Quanjian gets cagey
Finally, Alexis Sanchez would expand the range of options among Chelsea’s forwards. Playing Michy Batshuayi between Sanchez and Hazard would create one of the quickest and most agile front lines in the league. Partnering Sanchez with Romelu Lukaku or Diego Costa would create more physical battles. Hazard and Sanchez could support their striker by shifting the play to the outside to draw out the defenders, or by staying narrow to play one-two’s and quick through-balls.
Chelsea have the culture and ambition that Sanchez will not find at Arsenal. Much like Alvaro Morata, he would play his heart out for Chelsea because he would be so relieved to be in a more satisfying environment. More than filling a place in the lineup, he would broaden Chelsea’s tactical options and lineup choices.
Sanchez said last week that he wants to win the Premier League and play in the Champions League semi-finals. Those were his goals upon arriving at Arsenal, and the Gunners have consistently fallen short. Chelsea, on the other hand, have won two Premier Leagues in the same span that Sanchez has been in north London. He would see a transfer to Chelsea as a lifeline, particularly given Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Next: Chelsea's predicted XI to complete the domestic double with FA Cup win
Arsenal will be understandably reluctant to sell Alexis Sanchez to their top rival. However it may be their best option. He is unlikely to renew his contract when it expires in 2018. Arsenal would be better off selling him now than losing him for free next year.