Despite starting slowly in the transfer market, Chelsea look to be catching on with their rivals now and even exceed a step in their summer activities. According to recent reports, the defending Premier League Champions are eyeing their fourth signing of the season in Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller. The German international had an underwhelming season with the Bundesliga giants last season leading many to believe that his time in Allianz Arena is up.
After getting in high-profile names like Antonio Rudiger from AS Roma, Tiemoue Bakayoko from AS Monaco and Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid, the Blues are now eyeing a move for the 27-year-old with an aim to boost their midfield. The arrival of Bakayoko means that Nemanja Matic’s time at Stamford Bridge is pretty much up and Muller’s successful pursuit will be the final nail in his coffin.
If compared to the number of options one has in the midfield, Chelsea are way behind the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United or even Everton. Apart from N’Golo Kante and Matic, Antonio Conte only had Cesc Fabregas to use in the middle of the park last season. Now with Bakayoko in, the Italian boss risks losing out Matic and will need to have someone who could provide the work rate from the deep field.
And while Muller surely is a perfect fit for that role, Munich is hardly willing to let their star man leave anytime soon. When asked about his future at the club, Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said, “Thomas is still unsaleable because he fits perfectly with FC Bayern. There is no discussion about this… But Thomas, as well as we, are in agreement in the evaluation of the last season: It was not a good one… But that is not a problem either. Thomas also knows that he has to bring a piece more.”
Muller was terribly non-productive last season as he went a whopping 999 minutes without a goal. Although that didn’t stop him from providing from the midfield as he ended the season with 12 assists apart from only five goals in 29 appearances. In Champions League too, the player managed three goals in nine appearances.
Muller’s greatest strength lies in his versatility across the attacking third. The German international can play in the attacking midfield, right midfield, centre forward as well as left wing. Except for his defensive contributions, the player pretty much excels in everything and is a complete midfielder.
While landing him would definitely make Chelsea an indomitable side, Conte would find it very difficult to land him. Reportedly, all the other three- Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on him.
