It is a known fact now that Antonio Conte is going for a major overhaul this January and it might also extend over the next summer. Reports are already doing the rounds of the players the Italian is eyeing to replace the current set of club players who don’t fit his tactical play.
The latest one to be linked is Bayer Leverkusen star Hakan Calhanoglu as a replacement for Brazilian midfielder Oscar. Oscar is reportedly linked with a £20m move to Inter Milan.
Calhanoglu’s price currently hovers around the same region which is just over £17m, the price quoted by Turkish publication HaberTurk. Turkish national manager Fatih Terim has stated his consent on the player leaving for the English giants.
The Turkey international has over the years shown remarkable consistency in his performances and most importantly has stepped up and stood out under pressure in Europe’s biggest stage. In his Champions League campaign this season, the midfielder has scored 1 goal and has bagged 1 assist in 4 appearances. In Bundesliga, he has 2 goals and 2 assists in 7 appearances.
Chelsea can certainly do with a player of his calibre, who would not only provide the experience and quality in their European fixtures but also provide fantastic competition along with depth to the attacking midfield position keeping the likes of Hazard and Pedro on their toes.
He is quite similar to Eden Hazard as his prowess from direct set pieces, taking long shots and dribbling past opponents are supreme. He could also provide some of the most perfect crosses and defence piercing passes from deep midfield. The attacking midfielder could be a huge asset for Chelsea. Chelsea are currently doing with N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, who are not the best central midfielders where technique is concerned.
They are decent box-to-box midfielders and currently Chelsea’ revamped positioning could give them space as opponents are finding it unacquainted and difficult to cope. But few matches down the line when the positioning will be tracked, the Blues might suffer the same fate as Leicester City are facing this season. They would need a quality midfielder sooner or later down the season.
Even though Calhanoglu has openly admitted that he aims to stay at his current club and improve under the head coach Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen would be compelled to do business if a decent offer comes their way. Given Chelsea’s financial power, Conte could surely land the player if he wants.
