In a recent print edition, Sport has revealed that Chelsea are showing interest in Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic this summer. However, the Barca talent has his heart set on a return to Italy to play for Juventus, making it difficult for the Blues to recruit him in this off-season (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Pjanic’s Lacklustre Debut Campaign In Spanish Football
Pjanic has endured an underwhelming debut season at the Nou Camp after struggling to be productive with his contributions in the attacking third. He has failed to score or assist a goal despite playing in 30 matches for the Catalan giants this term in multiple competitions.
Most of the 31-year-old’s appearances have come off the bench, which explains why he has only averaged 0.8 shots, 0.6 key passes and 0.4 dribbles per 90 minutes in La Liga. However, he has hardly given away the ball when distributing it out from the back as he has made 91.4% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
At 31, Pjanic is not getting any younger, so this summer could be his last chance to find another top club if he wants to re-establish himself as a world-class midfielder in the coming seasons. He is not getting enough game time to justify staying at the Nou Camp beyond this summer.
Is Pjanic The Right Choice For The Blues This Summer?
Pjanic possesses a wide range of passes in his locker and has got the vision to find some holes in the opposition backline with his passing. He is a specialist from dead-ball situations and usually works his socks off for the benefit of his teammates. However, the lack of any goals or assists from him this season has seen his reputation take a hit.
The 100-time Bosnia-Herzegovina international needs to find a way to be more decisive in the final third if he wants to reignite his career at the highest level. Chelsea would have been a decent club for him as he is good enough to fight for a regular starting place in Thomas Tuchel’s first team.
However, the player is eager to return to Italy, so Tuchel will be better off opting for a much younger option rather than rely on an inconsistent midfielder like Pjanic. With all things considered, the Barca midfield ace won’t be a good choice for the Blues this summer as he is way past his prime and seems to be a player on the decline. Furthermore, Pjanic would have struggled to adapt to the physicality and high intensity of Premier League football this late in his playing career.
