Transfers: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Since the arrival of Roman Abramovich, Chelsea have been known to splash a few pennies on exotic players here and there. However, are these transfers really necessary or are they cunning, eagle-eyed work from the Blues’ scouting department? Here are the transfers in my opinion.

 

Yossi Benayoun – Liverpool – Chelsea – £5.5m – 2011

This was a rather strange buy for me. Technically, the Israeli is very good, with assists, goals and sometimes hat-tricks aplenty for Liverpool. But I couldn’t see him fitting in to Chelsea’s tactics and maybe his was just a rush buy to replace Joe Cole – who went in the opposite direction? A lengthy injury in the Carling Cup halted his playing time and he was soon loaned out to rivals Arsenal. #offloadsoon

Ramires – SL Benfica – Chelsea – £17m – 2011

It was an exciting prospect to have a Brazilian midfielder in the Chelsea squad and the small yet strong samba star showed promise in his time with Benfica. But the 23-year-old took a while to adapt to the quicker, flowing English game and had a disappointing first season. Although, this season has been a complete turnaround, with his strong surges and eight goals already cementing his place in the line-up. #goodbuyoverall

Fernando Torres – Liverpool – Chelsea – £50m – 2011

I think all Chelsea fans were very, very excited to have such a talented player on board the Stamford wagon, despite the potentially high price tag. To this date, he has had a disappointing spell in London and hasn’t managed to score in 15 consecutive matches. However, as I keep saying, all he needs is a string of 90 minute games and he’ll be firing on all cylinders come mid February (hopefully). #willscoresoon

David Luiz – SL Benfica – Chelsea – £21m – 2011

This crazy-haired Brazilian was looking a great prospect in his first season with Chelsea. He was a young, skillful and a proven goal scorer; notching in a goal against each Manchester club. Best of all, he was a versatile defender, capable of playing anywhere in the back four and even in midfield. On the other hand, this season has been a bit of a tough one for Luiz, losing his place to Branislav Ivanovic before getting back in the squad yet making consistent errors and receiving bookings. Some people argue he is not a defender and should be further up the field, but for me, he played rather well against Norwich City. #futurestar

Thibaut Courtois – Racing Club Genk – Chelsea – £7m – 2011

I hadn’t really heard of him or seen him in action. Described as a young, tall goalkeeper, the Belgian played a huge part in Genk’s title winning season and will no doubt be the successor of Petr Cech. He is currently on loan at Spanish side Atletico Madrid and has kept a clean sheet in his last three matches. #futurenumberone

Romelu Lukaku – RSC Anderlecht – Chelsea – £18m – 2011

This other Belgian youngster was definitely one for the future. Built like Drogba with a towering height to make up for it, the 18-year-old was an Anderlecht fan favourite and goal machine in the league, making several appearances and scoring goals for the national side too. Maybe it was a bit of a hefty price tag but it needed to be in order for Chelsea to snap-up the wanted striker. #topgoalscorerinthemaking

Juan Mata – Valencia CF – Chelsea – £23.5m – 2011

Easily the best buy Chelsea have had for awhile. The creative left-footer has been vital for the Blues already this season, assisting seven goals and scoring four of his own in the league. Snatched under the noses of Arsenal, the Spanish U21 captain is going to have a very successful career at the Bridge. #pureclass

Ulises Davila – C.D. Guadalaraja – Chelsea – £1.75m – 2011

Again, I never really heard or seen this Mexican striker in action and a few YouTube videos and search of the internet showed that he is isn’t really a goal machine. But at the age of 20 there is still plenty more years in this Mexican U20’s international and he has been loaned to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem for the rest of the season #needsmoreexperience

Raul Meireles – Liverpool – Chelsea – £12m – 2011

Another strange buy I thought. I didn’t really know what to make of it as I saw the news being announced on television. He loved scoring against Chelsea for Liverpool and he also scored a handful of superb goals too. However, I don’t think there was much room for him Chelsea’s central area of midfield with the likes of Frank Lampard, Ramires, John Obi-Mikel, Josh McEachran and new signing Oriol Romeu waiting in the wings along with the injured Michael Essien. I’m going to put it down as a back-up for the failed attempt to lure in Luka Modric. The haircut isn’t great either. #averagesofar

Oriol Romeu – FC Barcelona – Chelsea – £5m – 2011

At first it was a mixed reaction to his signature, with the fact that he came from Barcelona’s youth academy an advantage although the £5m seeming dear. But now when you look at the current season, Romeu has featured in more matches then we have expected and has also played well in most of them. He likes to get the ball down and play passes whilst he isn’t scared to take a shot on himself. I just hope Barca forget the buy-back clause Romeu has in his contract. #worththemoney

Lucas Piazon – Sao Paulo – Chelsea – £5m – 2012

Deemed the next Kaka, this Brazilian has been tracked by Chelsea for awhile now. His record in the national squad’s youth teams is prolific and he has already been banging in the goals for the Chelsea reserves against the likes of Arsenal. Another player for the future and one I look forward to seeing. #cantwaittowatch 

Aaron Aquilina
@P_D_L_P