Abramovich Set To Sanction Four Chelsea Transfers Worth £100+m

As the current 2014/2015 season comes to an end, Chelsea boss José Mourinho will look to strengthen his squad to push further into the Champions League. With up to £108million to spend this summer, Chelsea has added four players onto their transfer list, Raphaël Varane, Alexandre Lacazette, Antoine Griezmann, and Vicente Guaita.

Varane, has been linked to a move to Stamford Bridge all season, and could be a potential long-term replacement for John Terry. Lacazette is a world-class striker, only 23 years of age that could play next to Diego Costa next season. Antoine Griezmann is a 24 year-old attacker that can play up top or on the left wing. Guaita is a quality goalkeeper that could replace Petr Čech as Thibaut Courtois’ backup goalkeeper next season. All of these players are quality, but may not be needed next season.

Alexandre Lacazette has scored 27 goals in 31 Ligue 1 appearances this season, most likely winning the French top flight Player of the Year award. Lacazette has done wonders for Olympique Lyon this season, pushing them to second in the table, just three points behind the leaders, Paris Saint-Germain. He would not be comfortable sitting on the bench behind Diego Costa, and Mourinho would have to change his system to a 4-4-2, or something of the likes, that would allow Diego Costa and Lacazette to play up top next to each other.

Antoine Griezmann on the other hand, as also been playing as a striker, scoring 22 goals in 34 Spanish La Liga appearances. The Frenchman has impressed many this season, and has been linked to multiple clubs this summer. One main upside to him is that he is capable of pushing out wide and playing on the wing, something Mourinho personally admires. Griezmann is a quality player, but he does not have the ability to start above Costa, and would either have to push out wide, or sit behind Costa to play for Chelsea next season.

Raphaël Varane has recently signed a new contract with Real Madrid this season, making him very expensive if Chelsea were to actually sign him. He is a quality defender, and probably does not enjoy playing behind Pepe and Sergio Ramos. The Frenchman could either replace John Terry in a few years, when the captain retires, or he could compete with Gary Cahill for a starting spot next season to play alongside John Terry. But with Kurt Zouma already in the ranks, being only 20 years old, and Varane being only 22, Mourinho will have a quality central defense for years to come.

Vicente Guaita is a 28 year old goalkeeper, playing for the Spanish club, Getafe. The Spanish international has made an impressive 74 saves in only 27 La Liga appearances this season, and he could be a quality reserve keeper for years to come.