Chelsea’s Virgil Van Dijk pursuit no longer makes any sense
Chelsea are reportedly ready to put in an offer for outcast Southampton defender, Virgil Van Dijk. Central defence is not a concern for Antonio Conte.
As the start of the Premier League campaign draws closer and closer, Chelsea’s first-team squad is still desperately thin. One area of little concern, though, is central defence. Hence, fresh reports of the Blues making a move for Virgil Van Dijk are baffling.
"Chelsea are preparing to challenge Liverpool for the signature of Virgil van Dijk by offering Southampton £50 million for the Holland defender. Antonio Conte identified Van Dijk as a transfer target in January and has persuaded the club to make a firm bid, with Chelsea optimistic that a deal could be agreed before the start of the Premier League season next weekend. – The Times"
Van Dijk has been training on his own during pre-season, with manager Mauricio Pellegrino claiming that the defender isn’t committed to the Saints cause. The Dutchman has been linked with a Liverpool switch for the past year, but no deal has materialised yet.
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However, he is seemingly available for sale as the new manager is not keen on keeping a player who wants to be elsewhere.
Van Dijk has built an impressive reputation since moving to the Premier League from Celtic. The defender is talented and destined for great things. Chelsea, though, should be spending the £50 million on someone further up the field.
The Blues have signed Antonio Rudiger this summer. Andreas Christensen, meanwhile, has returned to Stamford Bridge after two very successful seasons playing Champions League football with Borussia Monchengladbach.
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Along with these two young defenders, Chelsea also have Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and a serviceable Gary Cahill. The Blues have enough first-team defenders. Any addition should come from the academy.
In the long run, Van Dijk would be a fantastic signing, but the club’s situation is too desperate to focus on the long-term at the moment. Having sold Nathaniel Chalobah and Nemanja Matic, Chelsea are worryingly short in midfield. A deal for Renato Sanches appears dead in the water and the most likely arrival seems to be Danny Drinkwater.
At wingback, meanwhile, Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso remain Conte’s only two options to start. Azpilicueta can be moved out there in an emergency, but injuries and poor form will wreak havoc.
Instead of spending £50 million on someone who doesn’t address immediate concerns, Chelsea should use that money to acquire a high-quality midfielder or wingback. Frankly, at this stage in the window, it would probably take more than that anyway.
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With domestic leagues about to get underway, Blues officials will need mouth-watering offers to sign the players they require. However, they have little choice but to do so. They must forget this Van Dijk deal and focus on necessary acquisitions.