Chelsea finally officially announced the signing of AS Roma defender, Antonio Rudiger. However, that has done little to quell fears over general transfer activity.
After bringing in a 34-year-old backup goalkeeper and a youngster whom no-one had heard of, Chelsea finally took their first major step in the transfer market on Sunday. The Sabbath no more, the Blues used the traditionally slow business day to close a deal for Antonio Rudiger. However, fans are looking past the cheesiness of the welcome video.
Rudiger becomes the first big signing of the summer for the Blues. Romelu Lukaku seemed destined to be that man, but Manchester United swooped in and stole the Belgian from under Chelsea noses. The Lukaku saga, in addition to that of Tiemoue Bakayoko and even Rudiger, have taken the sheen off the announcement.
Antonio Conte requires a number of reinforcements ahead of a packed 2017/18 schedule. The Blues will be looking to successfully defend their Premier League title as well as challenging the best in Europe. A deeper and stronger squad is needed for that to be possible.
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However, the summer so far has seen Chelsea seemingly sit on their hands while treading on their toes. Lukaku appeared to have one foot through the Cobham door. The announcement video was probably in the first edit. Report after report claimed that he would be unveiled imminently.
Instead, the board failed to settle terms and push through the transfer. Jose Mourinho pounced and the Belgian is on his way to Old Trafford.
Bakayoko, meanwhile, has been in the same position as Lukaku (according to the papers). Will Chelsea actually sign the highly-rated midfielder? Or will another rival jump in and hijack the deal again?
While fans are pleased with the Rudiger signing, they certainly aren’t celebrating his arrival. Much more work needs to be done and in positions that are more desperate.
With Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma, the Blues had a more than serviceable defence. Adding Rudiger will increase Conte’s options and the overall strength, but other areas of the pitch require greater attention.
The striker situation is dire, for example. Diego Costa has already been told that he is not in any plans for next season; he will leave the club. After the Lukaku failure, Chelsea are left chasing Alvaro Morata as a marquee name to lead the line.
Eden Hazard is also recovering from injury and thus the Blues may be devoid of creativity to start the season. Reinforcements in that department, as well as midfield, are imperative.
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Considering all this, Chelsea cannot and will not be applauded for signing Rudiger. Instead, fans will hope that this is the catalyst to conclude more urgent business as pre-season gets underway.