Sign a manager, before a striker.

As we near the end of the campaign, speculation mounts, and names mentioned as to who will be putting pen to paper on a deal to move to the Bridge this summer. After all, it would be unlike Mr. Abramovich to pass up on some spending some July/August-time.

Andre Schurrle’s name was heavily mentioned in both the summer and January this year, but it looks like his move could well become a reality when the window opens this time around.

Rumours circulating that a five-year deal has been put on the table for the 22 year old, but if Roman is making these decisions, he has to tread carefully in my eyes. The Chelsea job certainly isn’t one many top managers will have at the top of their list, and with transfer moves already seemingly ongoing, who will want to take control of the Chelsea bus if they have no control over the steering wheel?

It is clear that Rafa Benitez will not be in charge for the 2013/14 season, and unless the board has been incredibly stealthy in securing a new manager, they are no closer to knowing who that man will be. In this day and age, there is no way they could do it behind closed doors.

Andre Schurrle may well be the missing piece in the Chelsea puzzle, but if signings like that put an ideal manager off, is it worth doing? Jurgen Klopp has been one name banded about, a man who has spent an age crafting a brilliant squad at Dortmund, all under his watchful eye, and Jose Mourinho’s departure could be put down to disagreements over transfers too.

With Andre Villas-Boas unable to manage the personalities within the squad, Roberto Di Matteo not having the attributes to take the club on long-term, and Rafa Benitez being a ludicrous appointment, I think the board have to keep our options open manager-wise, and that means Roman putting his trust in their ability, and letting them come to him with a list of transfer targets, rather than the other way around.

I think Schurrle would be a great signing for us, though I don’t think his ability lies up front, but more on the wing. With our strikers still not showing they have the ability to score regularly, a conventional striker may be more suited, especially should we part company with Torres. After all, he is without a goal in the league since that 8-0 obliteration of Aston Villa, and Ba hasn’t really had a decent run in the team since his move.

By Brad Smith
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