Chelsea: Erling Haaland a clear choice with ramifications

Erling Haaland, in or out at Chelsea? It’s an easy decision but one that has significant ramifications for the club, Chelsea’s starting XI, and Thomas Tuchel going forward.

Yet, obviously, whenever you are a top world football team and you have an opportunity to secure one of the best young talents in the world, even at a monstrous price, you take it. If he’s a striker, and your strikers have been misfiring, there is no issue there whatsoever. You buy. So, that being said, Chelsea should indeed move aggressively and determinedly for Haaland. No question whatsoever here about that. Just go for it.

But, hold on. The cost will be massive. His transfermarkt valuation is, $121M. Now that’s not chump change even for a very well-financed side like Chelsea. That’s big money and it costs not only in the club’s pocketbook (purse?) but in the ramifications on the squad that may have to necessarily follow such an aggressive and major move. Players will have to go to help defer that expense and who that might be is a very good question for any Chelsea fan to contemplate. And, in addition, how will Haaland’s arrival impact the remaining players in Chelsea’s squad?

These seem to be rational questions and before tackling a few of them, it helps to say that this writer, a Chelsea fan. can look to such situations as monumental expressions of why it is such a pleasure to have become a Blues fan in the first place. Like some other clubs in American football (e.g. the New England Patriots), American baseball (New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and LA Dodgers), and other leagues around the globe, some teams just have let’s say, the pizzazz that others don’t, can’t, and never will. It just, as they say around New England Patriot circles, “is what it is”. And ain’t it grand when you are a fan of one or more of these special teams. There’s almost never, ever a dull fan day. Chelsea is one of them and I am so glad to be a member of that coterie of Chelsea fans.

So what then are the ramifications for Chelsea if they indeed decide to seriously pursue and sign Haaland, assuming, of course, he is willing. First, it seems clear that his agent may likely demand that Haaland be guaranteed to be in the starting 11. At that price, how could he not be given that consideration? No problem there, he’s the starting center-forward. Maybe one of two, but a starter nonetheless. Why wouldn’t he be? The guy scores a goal game or so for a massive Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund. He starts.

So, realistically, who must Chelsea offload in order to allow this move to go forward? That’s maybe not so easy a conclusion but let’s give it a try. If Chelsea makes the top four or wins the Champions League (or maybe even if not) or the FA Cup, it seems that Thomas Tuchel is likely to be the manager next season. After all, his 18 months would not have been concluded by then. Assuming that is the case, who are the most likely players to be offloaded, that is players of real consequence?

First up, Tammy Abraham. For some reason unknown to this writer, Abraham has been cast out into the football netherworld by Tuchel. He did get a few minutes against the hammers. But the question remains, where has Tammy been? It seems that he was injured. Fine. But that was weeks or maybe a month or two ago. Yet, there has been little seen of Tammy on Chelsea’s pitch of late. Clearly, Tuchel has a problem with Chelsea’s leading scorer last season, and still this season though his playing time has been limited. he’s a goal scorer. No doubt about that. So what’s the problem? So, unless things change it may be safe to assume that Tammy will go elsewhere in the summer. Not sure that’s a great idea at all, frankly. Hope it doesn’t happen.

Now, Abraham’s transfermarkt valuation is $44M. That’s certainly would be a tidy sum (if it actually comes close to that value) to recoup if indeed you are seeking the services of Haaland. A probably very necessary first step. (Note to Chelsea: please do not sell Abraham to a Premier League side. That would be an invitation to future pain. Thank you.) So Tammy (still only 23 years old) would almost certainly exit stage right since he has obviously not been a favorite of Tuchel who still likely has a minimum of another year left on his tenure at Chelsea.

Next up, a tough choice. The question here is, who has such value that it makes financial sense to sell but who won’t destroy a critical aspect of the team if he goes? The player who stands out here is, Jorginho. Now, let’s make this perfectly clear, Jorginho has performed admirably if not marvelously in Tuchel’s midfield as a possession-centric defensive midfielder. He’s been extremely proficient. Yet, assuming that some pain must be endured should Chelsea wish to bring in Haaland (and maybe also a central defender like Niklas Sule) then sacrifices must be made.

Who can replace Jorginho? First, the obvious answer is N’Golo Kante. If fit, Kante remains one of the league’s and the world’s best defensive midfielder’s His energy, talent, and pace are almost unequaled in world football. He’s a marvel in the central defensive midfielder role. Kante is going nowhere. Then, there is Mateo Kovacic. Kova is not only a competent defender but also a driving transition player who can dish the ball to the forwards masterfully, if not finish himself.  A very talented player, Kova fits perfectly with Kante. And, what about depth?

Well, that answer is clear, it’s the little-used yet supremely talented Billy Gilmour. The diminutive central midfielder is a master of any and all the skills at the position, save maybe finishing, which few at the position anywhere have. Yet, that notwithstanding, Gilmour is a masterful defender with a fabulous work rate, solid pace, and who while not possessing great strength can thread a pass forwarded skillfully in the attack. Midfield, covered. And, don’t forget the now Premier League seasoned Conor Gallagher who could easily step into a midfield role next season.

So those are only two possible departures from Chelsea to materially and significantly help fund a transfer of the prolific scoring Haaland. There are others, for certain. Yet, in so evaluating the overall situation, with just two or maybe a few subtractions, Chelsea will be financially in a very suitable position to fund a Haaland transfer this summer. Some loss, but certainly the potential of a massive gain in the transactions. However the ins and outs of a potential Haaland deal transpire, it’s certainly a worthy investment.

Haaland, Werner, Havertz, Pulisic, and Ziyech would be quite a formidable front line. Chelsea, make it so. Please.