Juan Cuadrado Edges Even Closer To Chelsea Move

Chelsea have stepped up their chase of Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado. The Fiorentina of Italy playmarker has been a subject of transfer speculation lately after it emerged that Chelsea are courting the signature of the world cup star in the wake of an impending move for either of their under performing forwards Andre Schurrle and Mohammed Salah.

Andre Schurrle has been linked with a return back to German after he has suffered a dip in form this season. Bundesliga side Wolfsburg have been credited with an interest in the player and are believed to have made a bid in the region of £22.56million but Chelsea are holding out for an increased fee for the player they signed in 2013 from Bayer Leverkusen. Judging by the constant rumours linking the player away and the believe that there is no smoke without fire, I think ti is safe to bet on him leaving Chelsea before the window closes on February 2 – a smart move for putters will be to use bet365 code for 100 % bonus while betting on transfer happenings.

Mohammed Salah also has court interest from AS Roma of Italy who are looking forward to adding the 22-year-old Egyptian to their rank. An 18-months loan deal with the option to buy has been muted but the two clubs are yet to agree on the £550,000 loan fee the Blues are demanding.

Jose Mourinho has been reluctant to delve into the winter transfer market and has stated that the club won’t be signing any player in except they sell. With the likely departure of one of Andre Schurrle or Mohammed Salah, Mourinho could be forced into the transfer market.

Juan Cuadrado could be the man to take Schurrle’s place. Chelsea are believed to have launched a bid in the region of 20million but the deal has been knocked back with the bid believed to have fallen short of Roma’s £26.7million valuation in his contract.

Juan Cuadrado has been been massive for Fiorentina since joining them in 2012, a form which has seen him notch 22 goals in 86 appearance for the Violas. His good form was also evident last summer where he help his country Colombia to the quarter finals of the FIFA world cup in Brazil before being eliminated by the host country.

He has already scored 4 goals and assisted 4 as well this season for Vincezo Montella side. He is a great asset to the club and one who the club would not want to loose easily. Coach Vincezo has stated that the player would not be allowed to leave the club this transfer window but has also acknowledge that the club could be powerless in preventing a move if the buy-out clause of around £26.7million in his contract is met.

Chelsea would however be willing to play the waiting game to see which of the duo of Schurrle and Salah will be offloaded before making any addition to its current squad. Schurrle and Salah have struggled for game actions this season with the trio of Hazard, Oscar and Willian ahead of them in the attacking trident position.

Both players have occasionally been limited to only league cup games and in most cases they have not been able to make a telling case for themselves by their woeful performances. Salah is eager for a move to get more regular action but its not known yet if he’d greatly favour the move to Italy with his family.

Schurrle on the other hand is eager to return to Germany, this time to Wolfsburg who have shown keen interest in him. A return to the Volks Wagen arena will really interest the 24-year-old world cup winner especially with the club doing well domestically this season- second behind league leaders Bayern Munich and look on course to qualify for the UEFA champions league.

Cuadrado will be a good addition to Chelsea in the case that any of Schurrle or Salah departs the club this winter. He is quick, versatile and ready to make defensive contributions a trait Mourinho like in his players. He will give Willian a good run for his money at the right wing.

Willian has been outstanding this season at the right flank. His energy and drive in every game cannot be rivaled. He puts in a good defensive shift each time the team is defending but often let people down with his final balls. His goal to game ratio is not too impressive as well for a talented forward with his speed and skill to get past defenders.

It can’t be argued that Cuadrado will be an upgrade to Willian but the Colombian has his good qualities. His addition could also allow willian to drift into the no.10 role behind the striker especially when Oscar is not available or not performing. The no.10 position is a role I’d really want to see Willian play often as I believe he posses the qualities to excel in that role. The acquisition of Cuadrado could help facilitate that wish.

Again, Cuadrado will be eligible to play in the champions league for Chelsea if he makes the move. Fiorentina are not in Europe’s elite club competition this season and that means Cuadrado is eligible to be registered for the remaining stanza of the champions league campaign. Chelsea will be good to see this deal rapped up before the transfer window shuts down in a week’s time.