In a recent print edition, Mundo Deportivo revealed that Chelsea are willing to move in for Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic this summer. It is believed that the Catalans are hoping to find a new buyer for the Bosnia-Herzegovina international which could open the door for the Blues to land him during this summer transfer period (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Pjanic’s Underwhelming Campaign In Spanish Football
It has been a disappointing season for Pjanic at the Nou Camp as he struggled to earn regular first-team starts under Ronald Koeman’s stewardship. The 31-year-old failed to register a goal or an assist in 30 matches for Barca in the previous campaign in all competitions.
Most of the veteran midfield ace’s appearances have come as a substitute which explains why he only averaged 0.7 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, 0.8 shots and 0.6 key passes per 90 minutes in La Liga. However, he was excellent when distributing the ball from midfield after making 91.4% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Pjanic is a player on the decline, so it is difficult to understand why Chelsea are preparing to make a move for him in this off-season. Having said that, the Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel can benefit from bulking up his midfield department by adding another experienced player like Pjanic this summer as his presence could help get the best out of the younger players in the West London club’s squad.
Will Pjanic Be The Right Choice For The Blues?
Pjanic can keep possession moving at the centre of the park without breaking a sweat. He can play his way out of tight spaces and has a wide range of passes in his locker. The 100-time Bosnia-Herzegovina international can even create some decent chances for his teammates up top when he is playing with confidence on the field. However, he has lost his first-team privileges at the Nou Camp which has hampered his form in midfield.
At 31, Pjanic is about to enter the twilight years of his playing career, so he might struggle to cope with the physical nature and high intensity of Premier League football if Chelsea end up securing the signature of the Barcelona outcast.
However, Pjanic’s wealth of experience at the highest level, coupled with his playmaking qualities, make him a decent choice for Barca to consider during this summer transfer window but only if Tuchel is planning to use him as a squad player. Otherwise, the Blues would be better of concentrating on some of their other targets as the Bosnia-Herzegovina international won’t enhance the quality of Tuchel’s starting XI.
