Chelsea managed to make an impact on transfer deadline day with the 12 million pound signing of Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles.
Meireles handed in a transfer request to Liverpool on Wednesday, and will be reunited with Andre Villas-Boas. The Chelsea manager briefly working with the fellow Portuguese Meireles before the midfielder moved to Liverpool last year.
Meireles finished last season as arguably Liverpool’s form player, and when he recovers from his current collarbone injury he will be an important addition for the Blue’s.
Chelsea have undoubted talent in the midfield department, but do have some depth issues that could hurt them over the course of a season. As impressive as Manchester United look right now, it is worth remembering that Chelsea had scored more, conceded less and looked equally impressive in the opening stages of the season.
As talented as Chelsea’s midfield is, cover must be there to succeed over the long term. Frank Lampard is one of the best attacking midfielder’s in Premier League history, but he is creeping up in age and becoming more susceptible to niggling injuries and the need to be rested.
Michael Essien is younger than Lampard and a phenomenal athlete, however he is in the unfortunate position of missing significant time with injury of late. John Obi Mikel is a talented player, but it is not unfair to suggest he is not an anchor a title challenge can be built around. In addition to this, Mikel and Essien will be competing at the African Cup of Nations in January and will e unavailable for a number of games.
We now Chelsea are playing well right now, but over the course of a 38 games season (plus tournaments) a number of personnel must be able to cover for injury and loss of form to challenge for honors.
The signing of Meireles ensures that Chelsea have quality and depth to cover the absences they will suffer during the season. Young midfielder Josh McEachran is also a blossoming talent and could contribute even if he is not ready for a lead role.
In addition to giving depth it is also very possible Meireles could play his way into a starting role for the Blue’s upon his return from injury.
While it is not immediately clear, it will be shown over time what an astute signing Meireles was. The move will be of particular importance in January when the Blue’s will be dealing with the absence of the African midfielders.
If Chelsea continue to play well and stay round the top of the table, they will see Peter Cech and Didier Drogba return to boost the playing ranks in the future. Now you can add Raul Meireles to that list.
Meireles finished last season as arguably Liverpool’s form player, and when he recovers from his current collarbone injury he will be an important addition for the Blue’s.
Chelsea have undoubted talent in the midfield department, but do have some depth issues that could hurt them over the course of a season. As impressive as Manchester United look right now, it is worth remembering that Chelsea had scored more, conceded less and looked equally impressive in the opening stages of the season.
As talented as Chelsea’s midfield is, cover must be there to succeed over the long term. Frank Lampard is one of the best attacking midfielder’s in Premier League history, but he is creeping up in age and becoming more susceptible to niggling injuries and the need to be rested.
Michael Essien is younger than Lampard and a phenomenal athlete, however he is in the unfortunate position of missing significant time with injury of late. John Obi Mikel is a talented player, but it is not unfair to suggest he is not an anchor a title challenge can be built around. In addition to this, Mikel and Essien will be competing at the African Cup of Nations in January and will e unavailable for a number of games.
We now Chelsea are playing well right now, but over the course of a 38 games season (plus tournaments) a number of personnel must be able to cover for injury and loss of form to challenge for honors.
The signing of Meireles ensures that Chelsea have quality and depth to cover the absences they will suffer during the season. Young midfielder Josh McEachran is also a blossoming talent and could contribute even if he is not ready for a lead role.
In addition to giving depth it is also very possible Meireles could play his way into a starting role for the Blue’s upon his return from injury.
While it is not immediately clear, it will be shown over time what an astute signing Meireles was. The move will be of particular importance in January when the Blue’s will be dealing with the absence of the African midfielders.
If Chelsea continue to play well and stay round the top of the table, they will see Peter Cech and Didier Drogba return to boost the playing ranks in the future. Now you can add Raul Meireles to that list.
