According to Metro, Cagliari owner Tommaso Giulini has confirmed that Chelsea were interested in the Italian midfield ace Nicolo Barella. As per the report, current Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been looking to beef up his midfield and Barella was on the top of his priority list during the January transfer window.
Giulini has also said that he is aware of the fact that the Blues might make another move to get the player to Stamford Bridge in the future. However, with UEFA upholding the decision of imposing a transfer ban on Chelsea, it might not be possible for them to make an immediate move for Barella. However, Sarri is expected to come back for his desired target.
Since the departure of Cesc Fabregas in the January transfer window, the Chelsea midfield has looked lacklustre. With the likes of Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley not being able to replicate the calm and composed style of the Spanish veteran, things have not looked good for the Blues in the heart of the pitch. The results have also not been as per expectations for the Italian gaffer, and he is reportedly looking to find a viable replacement for Fabregas in Barella.
After taking charge at Chelsea, Sarri brought in a few changes in the side. N’Golo Kante, who was used as a deep-lying midfielder by former manager Antonio Conte to good effect, is pushed to play in a more advanced position in the midfield. Summer signing Jorginho has been used as the defensive midfielder, but the change has not worked for the Italian gaffer so far this season.
With both the players mentioned above struggling to settle in their assigned roles, it has become imperative for Sarri to bring in someone who would be able to hold the midfield together. During the first half of the season, Fabregas executed the role of the holding midfielder perfectly, providing a lot of stability to the Chelsea midfield. Since his departure, Kovacic has failed to show the same stamina in that position, and this is where Barella might come into play.
The Italian ace has been one of the most influential players in the Serie A this season. With the perfect execution of interceptions and tackling in the holding midfield position, Barella has made a name for himself as a reliable figure for Cagliari as well as the Italian national team.
The young midfielder showed his worth with a sublime strike to find the back of the net against Finland in Italy’s first match of the Euro 2020 qualifiers. Sarri would be more than happy to have him at his disposal and hope that the 22-year-old would be the answer to all his woes, as far as the midfield is concerned.
With the transfer ban being upheld despite their appeal, the Blues are in dire straits as they would not be able to bring in any new players next summer. However, Chelsea are not expected to give up so easily on their desired target as they might look to splash the cash and trigger the huge release clause of €50 million slapped on him by Cagliari very soon.
