Arsenal icon tells Chelsea to forget Frenkie de Jong, and sign Rodri or Casemiro instead
Speaking to Genting Casino (h/t Metro), Former Chelsea and Arsenal player William Gallas has advised the Blues that they should change their transfer approach and look at a different profile to sort their midfield issues.
Gallas was a defender who played in the England top division for 13 years plying his trade for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in that process. He won 2 Premier League titles in that time.
Frenkie de Jong’s transfer saga has been one of the longest and most tiring processes one can imagine with rumours circulating all summer.
It started with the appointment of Erik Ten Hag to Manchester United and the Dutch manager has been keen, since his appointment, to make De Jong the marquee signing of his reign and essential to the play he wants his team to play.
With Barcelona keen to sell so that they are able to register their new signings and United unable to agree on personal terms with the player, Chelsea have entered the frame with a view to hijacking the deal.
Chelsea hopes that offering Champions League football and a more ambitious project than United who are going through a transitional phase might entice De Jong to switch to Stamford Bridge.
With reports coming out that De Jong’s future will be decided, William Gallas has urged the Chelsea board to reconsider their approach and look for players of the ilk of Rodri (Manchester City) or Casemiro (Real Madrid) as it will be better suited with the players already at the disposal at Stamford Bridge.
“They should go for someone like Casemiro or Rodri instead. They are strong guys who stay in front of their defenders. They have good impacts physically as well. That is why I would not sign De Jong, because they already have players who are a little bit similar.”
It would be wise to take into consideration the claim made by Gallas as the Blues’ midfield already consist of playmakers such as Mason Mount, Mateo Kovačić, Jorginho, Ruben Loftus Cheek, Conor Callagher, Billy Gilmour and the recent acquisition of the young talented Carney Chukwuemeka.
On the other hand, N’Golo Kante has entered the last year of his contract with little indication of what his future holds.
Therefore, more than a playmaker, Chelsea will be better suited to look for a player who is good at defending the back four and helping the team transition from defence to attack like roles played by Rodri and Casemiro with their respective clubs.
More Chelsea News:
- Rio Ferdinand wants Chelsea star Raheem Sterling to be more efficient
- Timo Werner confirms leaving Chelsea for RB Leipzig
- Frenkie de Jong is not interested in leaving Barcelona amid Chelsea interest
It will be interesting to see how this saga unfolds and certainly something to keep an eye on before the transfer window closes on 1st September.
