Stamford Bridge is not a happy place to be at the moment and blue is not really a colour that will put smiles on faces of the fans in London. After lifting the Premier League trophy last year, Chelsea have managed to drop out of the top-4 and though won the FA Cup, are now a club that is on the fall.
They are set to replace Antonio Conte this summer but will have to give their new manager enough time to settle in at SW6 before he can get the glory days back to the club. But Chelsea’s scouting department have been busy trying to find the right stars for the future of the club and one such player now on their radar is Nicolo Barella.
Having made a name for himself with Cagliari just a couple of seasons ago, Barella has found great consistency in the Italian top flight and was one of the best players for the Islanders last season. Playing in a central midfield role, he registered six goals and an assist in 34 leagues starts last season and at just 21, is potentially a superstar in Italy.
The 21-year old has nine caps for the Italy U21 side and is touted to have a great future ahead of him. He is a box to box midfielder, who loves to release his teammates on space on either wing. He is a decent passer but is more effective when cutting off passing lanes in the middle of the park. He is a forward-thinking player, and though does not have the mesmerizing skill, has great awareness of the game and is usually productive with the ball.
He gives away needless fouls at times but often breaks up play in dangerous areas, making him effective at both ends of the field. He has great potential and could be a superb signing for Chelsea.
The Blues have Ruben Loftus Cheek, who plays in a similar role, already waiting on the sidelines while Ross Barkley and Cesc Fabregas are other midfield options. Tiemoue Bakayoko is also a similar player, making Barella a backup at Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggest that Cagliari have slapped a price tag of €40m and though his potential justifies the price tag, he is not an immediate requirement for the Blues. Chelsea need to spend on improving their first team, which will ensure an increase in the squad depth. They already have a number of impressive youngsters waiting for first-team chances and it makes more sense for the club to let Barella progress in Italy before they can make him a part of their enormous loan system.
