This upcoming summer transfer window is going to be a big one for BlueCo. After four seasons and having spent more than a billion pounds, they have failed to take Chelsea forward. Naturally, questions have been raised about their transfer strategy. The management has overlooked the need for proven quality and experience, completely focusing on signing the best young talents from around the world. In hindsight, that has been a mistake.
It is a mistake that the fans have been calling out for a while. And now that senior players are starting to do the same, there have been reports that suggest that BlueCo are ready to sign Premier League-proven players in the summer. It remains to be seen whether that is on the mark or not.
Enzo Fernandez looks to be a probable exit this summer. He has not ruled out a move and even admitted that he would like to live in Madrid someday, as Los Blancos continue to be linked with him. In the aftermath, the midfielder has even been left out of the next two games as a sanction. If he does indeed leave at the end of the season, it will be interesting to see how Chelsea go about finding a replacement.
For now, it looks like Chelsea have a deal in place to sign an Argentine midfielder. But it would be very much in line with BlueCo’s youth-focused transfer model rather than bringing in a first-team-ready player.
Chelsea reportedly agree deal to sign Argentine midfielder
According to journalist Augusto Cesar, Valentin Barco will be Chelsea’s reinforcement. The English club will be signing the Argentine midfielder from Strasbourg. After the FIFA international break, the Blues pushed hard and everything has been agreed for him to join in June. He was also wanted by Bayern Munich.
Barco has been a standout performer for Strasbourg this season. He is also now in the Argentine national team picture and even scored for them during this international break, further enhancing his reputation.
If accurate, Barco is set to become another one of sister club Strasbourg’s players that Chelsea have gone in to sign. Emmanuel Emegha is also set to join them this summer.
Is Barco the right fit?
Barco has the potential to be a decent addition for Chelsea. But his addition is not expected to be met by fanfare. That is because this feels like more of the same policy that has failed the Blues over the past four seasons.
In fact, we have already seen Barco struggle in England. He was on the books at Brighton & Hove Albion and failed to make an impression before joining Strasbourg.
Of course, it would be wrong not to point out one major change that has taken place since then. Barco was playing as a left-back while at Brighton. Now, he is being used as a midfielder. And Liam Rosenior will know the Argentine well, from their time together at Strasbourg. Although it is possible that he might not even be the manager by the time he arrives at Stamford Bridge.
