Antonio Conte and Chelsea’s infamous transfer committee are still hoping to improve the Blues’ line-up. New rumours reckon they are ready to knock on Barcelona’s door with a view to meeting Sergi Roberto’s £35.75 million release clause.
Chelsea’s penchant for a Spanish player continues on this transfer window. Sources have told ESPN FC that the Blues are keen on Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto. The La Masia graduate has a release clause in excess of £35 million.
Should the midfielder make the move from the Camp Nou he would be following a well-worn route across Europe to Stamford Bridge. In the current squad, he would join fellow Spanish internationals Cesar Azpilicueta, Cesc Fabregas, Marcos Alonso, Pedro and the newest Blue, Alvaro Morata.
Roberto would be a welcome addition to this season’s squad as Antonio Conte looks to strengthen across all areas of the pitch. Although his preferred position is in midfield, he proved his versatility with the Catalan club. He also played at full-back and winger in Barcelona.
Put full-back and winger together and you get a position for which Antonio Conte badly needs cover.
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During last season’s victorious Premier League campaign, Antonio Conte turned Victor Moses from a run-of-the-mill winger to a fully-fledged wing-back. Along with Marcos Alonso, the two wing-backs were pivotal in both Conte’s system and Chelsea’s success.
There is no reason Antonio Conte could not similarly mould the 25-year old Spaniard into cover for them. He would also be able to fill in where necessary in a more central role. In essence, Sergi Roberto could be an old-fashioned utility player.
Although Victor Moses had a great season – up until his aberration in the FA Cup final – he remains the weaker of the two incumbents. A shared role could be another piece of a jigsaw that sees Chelsea have a season that trumps the previous one.
During the last two seasons Roberto has fully established himself in the Barcelona team. Ironically for Chelsea, and at time when talk of academies is a hot topic, Roberto joined the Barcelona youth system at age 14 before moving on to the club’s ‘B’ team. Having risen through the ranks, he is a player who beat the odds and made it. The stuff of dreams.
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He has significant potential for improvement when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net. His two seasons at the Camp Nou produced just two goals. If Conte can add that to his game and the money moguls can put a deal together, then Sergi Roberto can look forward to enhancing Chelsea’s Spanish penchant.