There are some decisions that can turn a decent team into champions. In the summer of 2014, Chelsea made those types of moves. They signed Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid and Cesc Fabregas from FC Barcelona. Those two played an integral role in the club winning two of the next three Premier League titles. Will BlueCo make similar signings?
The fans are hoping so. The club are expected to strengthen in several positions this summer. But the most urgent need might be at centre-back.
In the absence of Levi Colwill, Chelsea have struggled badly at the back. One could argue that none of their centre-backs is good enough to be starting for Chelsea.
One also has to wonder what version of Colwill we will get when he returns from his ACL injury. Those kinds of issues can affect a player in the long run. Let’s hope that is not the case with the Cobham graduate. But Chelsea should be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Chelsea told to sign another player from Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea have signed several players from Brighton & Hove Albion since BlueCo took over. Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Facundo Buonanotte, Moises Caicedo, the list goes on. They even brought in their manager Graham Potter, and we all know how that turned out for the Blues.
So, most fans might already be tired of seeing Chelsea go out and sign players from Brighton. That has not stopped them from being linked with another one of them.
According to talkSPORT, Toby Evenden said:
“There’s a player that caught my eye, seems quite Chelsea, Van Hecke. I feel like he’s quite suited to… what I enjoy in a lot of Chelsea players, bit of a Diego Costa of a centre-back, that kind of type.”
Could Jan Paul van Hecke be the solution to Chelsea’s problems?
Van Hecke would not be a high-profile signing by any means. He is not someone proven at the highest level with a wealth of experience at a top club. That being said, there is a lot to like about his game as well.
Van Hecke is 25 years of age and is a regular for Brighton. He is a full Dutch international. So, he does have a decent bit of experience under his belt. But he also falls within the age profile BlueCo like to recruit from.
Also, it would be a mistake to overlook Brighton’s pool of talent just because Chelsea have signed plenty of players from them already. Cucurella and Caicedo are two of the best that the Blues have. On his day, Sanchez can be brilliant as well although he is not reliable enough to be the first-choice goalkeeper.
Also, Virgil van Dijk arrived from Southampton and became one of the all-time greats at Liverpool. So, just because a centre-back has not come in from an elite club does not mean he cannot be a quality addition to a team.
