Chelsea’s first signing should be a headliner, not a backup goalkeeper
By Vishnu Raj
Chelsea kick off their Nike contract on July 1. Their first order of business should be announcing the headline signing fans have been waiting for.
Transfer season is well and truly underway. Clubs across Europe have started strengthening their teams with new players. Since there is a change of kit sponsors, Chelsea are restraining themselves from unveiling a new signing until then.
Two years ago Manchester United were in a similar situation. But they did their signings as normal since their Nike contract expired on July 31 and they had to start pre-season before then. Since Chelsea’s adidas contract ends early at June 30, it is safe to say Chelsea are holding off on unveiling new signings until they can debut the new kit.
Major rivals have all started their transfer window business by unveiling new players. Almost all of those players have the calibre to improve their respective teams significantly. That is the quality of players Chelsea fans expect to see in a Nike blue on July 1.
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The players who are rumoured to have signed with Chelsea include Romelu Lukaku, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Willy Caballero. Among the three, Caballero is almost certain to replace Begovic as the backup to Thibaut Courtois Courtois. Beyond those three near-certain signings, there are a whole host of players linked with the club.
The last thing fans want is for the first player announced to be someone who is going to sit on the bench as second-choice goalkeeper. No disrespect to Caballero. He is good enough to be a second choice goalkeeper. But he is not the level of name fans want – let alone deserve – to hear as the first signing after waiting this long for a new player.
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The first signing usually sets the tone. A headline signing will raise the interest around the club. It also makes fans look forward towards pre-season and onwards with more enthusiasm. Simply, it makes them happy.
Fans are waiting for such a name. The first player to be unveiled should ideally be someone who could improve the team. At least he should be a starting XI calibre player. Else the distress among fans will increase.
Summer signings set the tone for Chelsea’s disastrous campaign under Jose Mourinho two years ago. By the time the club unveiled Pedro as the headline signing the decline had already started for the Blues. They cannot repeat that mistake.
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