Chelsea need to rebuild their squad in the summer. Four years into the BlueCo project, it feels like they have only gone around in circles. A lot of money might have been wasted on signing players who are not of the needed level. Yet, it looks like the club will continue to back their model and recruitment ability.
Chelsea already have multiple deals in place. Geovany Quenda will be arriving from Sporting CP and is one of the most highly rated young talents in Europe. Emmanuel Emegha put up big numbers in Ligue 1. Dastan Satpaev has earned comparisons with Sergio Aguero, one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history. Denner, a Brazilian full-back from Corinthians, has gone under the radar a bit but will also arrive at Stamford Bridge soon.
Now, it is time to add a fifth name to that list. At least several reports seem to be pointing in that direction.
According to journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos, Valentin Barco will play for Chelsea. There is total agreement with the Strasbourg midfielder for six seasons. The presence of Liam Rosenior, who boosted him in France, has been key for him to accept the offer from the Premier League club. The Blues have convinced him by guaranteeing that he will be a cornerstone of the project.
What does ‘cornerstone’ guarantee for Barco mean for Chelsea’s future?
Barco has emerged as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1. He has even broken into the Argentina national team picture and scored for them in the recent international break.
That being said, that does not mean that he will be an automatic success at Chelsea. On the contrary, we have already seen him struggle in English football with Brighton & Hove Albion. So, there are many doubts regarding how well he will do at Stamford Bridge. Of course, his role has changed since then, as he has gone from a left-back to being a midfielder.
The suggestion that he has been promised a ‘cornerstone’ role is an indication of how highly BlueCo rate him. Could he be the replacement for Enzo Fernandez, if the Argentine leaves this summer?
Could Barco replace Fernandez at Chelsea?
At this point in time, they look like different kinds of midfielders. Initially, I was uncertain whether Barco was being viewed as the one to replace Fernandez. But Ramos’ suggestion that he will be a cornerstone of the project has made me rethink the situation.
It is possible that Chelsea are looking for a different type of midfielder to play beside Moises Caicedo. And being left-footed, Barco would certainly open up a lot of new possibilities.
Of course, there is no guarantee that Fernandez will leave this summer. But everything that has happened over the past few weeks seems to suggest that is what he wants.
