Chelsea should sign Lionel Messi if he departs Barcelona

The chances of Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona in his career are slim to none, but if he does, he should consider a move to Chelsea.

As if 2020 couldn’t provide anymore twists and turns, Lionel Messi is reportedly so angry with the Barcelona brass that he could leave when his contract expires next summer. While nothing is concrete, the prospect of Messi leaving the Catalan club so farcical, few are likely to believe it until it happens—if it ever happens.

However, cue the printing press because now every club in the world will look at ways to bring Messi in. Leave aside his wage demands, desire to move countries, team composition demands and more for a minute; Chelsea is a great spot for Messi.

Of course, the matters brushed aside above are incredibly significant but for now, just look at how Messi fits in with the Blues. First off, there is the open right flank. Yes, Hakim Ziyech is due to arrive at the club and he is pencilled in for the right wing. However, this is Lionel Messi we are talking about. Chelsea has flirted with his signature in previous years and if he came he would undoubtedly start on the right.

This would move Ziyech in to a central position, which he has played in and excelled at before. Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic would jostle it out for the left wing as a result.

Secondly, think of the quality and dedication Chelsea’s young stars can glean from the feet of the G.O.A.T. Pulisic is a star winger in the making while Mount has bona fide qualities of his own. Playing and working with one of the best to ever play the game—if not the best—will speed up their progression to elite status faster than anything else.

Furthermore, perhaps Messi will finally help Callum Hudson-Odoi unlock his potential that has been teasing Chelsea fans for the past few years. Also think of Tammy Abraham. While he is not at a level of the Argentine’s Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, Abraham has the capabilities to play like Suarez. He is quick and can provide a good foil for Messi. His poaching skills will only improve if Messi were there to draw defenders away.

Then of course there is Timo Werner. The sheer pace, ability and dedication that a front three of Pulisic/Mount, Werner and Messi would provide is tantalizing. Werner’s speed and ability to play off of the last man combined with Messi’s vision would tear apart any defence the Blues would play against.

Finally, and most importantly, Messi would provide the never-give-up grit this Chelsea team seems to lack at crucial times. Even in a losing effort Messi will run, press and draw fouls until the final whistle. That is an invaluable asset to a team. Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has hinted at the Blues looking to make another signing and while all of the eyes have been on the likes of Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell, it is hard to look past the chance at bringing Messi into your team.

There is no doubt the Argentine is still hungry for success and trophies despite being 33 years old. Going to England will not be an easy task for the Argentine, but something he would relish. At the end of the 2021 season, he will be 34, which is not young by any stretch.

Some might argue that, at that stage of a career, a league like the MLS might be more suited for Messi. Underestimate Lionel Messi at your own peril. He will adapt his game as he continues to get older and he might just be the type of player the Blues needs to get them into the Premier League duopoly of Manchester City and Liverpool.

Keep in mind this would not be long-term move for the club, but perhaps a few years of Messi on the right wing, or in a more central role, would add that difference between a Champions League trophy and the absence of one. Goodness knows, at 34 the Argentine’s touch and passing will still be second to none and that is exactly the role he could fill for the club.

Lampard’s Chelsea has been very good at times this year, and it will get better next year when Ziyech and Werner join the Blues. Attack is also not the area that is in most need of new blood, however, this is Messi. Even a 34-year-old Argentinian would sprinkle some stardust on a young team that could do with a little of Messi’s secret stuff.