Chelsea Summer Transfer Acquisition #3: Filipe Luis

Filipe Luis (Left Back): Our new No.3! Ashley ‘the legend’ Cole has left the building. In comes what I would call not the ideal signing – but the next best thing. This man is a proven winner playing already at his peak – perhaps on the latter stages of his peak. But this appears to be more of a stopgap solution rather than a long term solution. However, if you look at it this way, then this is a very long stop gap arrangement. Perhaps in 2-3 years time, he will be on his way out and Chelsea would have found a suitable long term solution for left back. Till then, we have an extremely capable left back from one of the top teams in Europe still having a good few years in his tank and one who is very excited about playing for Chelsea. What more do we want? Key items: 2-3 years peak performance ahead, proven winner, definite first choice.

Chelsea Summer Transfer Acquisitions #1: Diego Costa

Diego Costa (Striker): This was the summer’s worst kept secret. Actually it may not have been a secret at all and everyone knew it was just going to happen. Spain’s abysmal World Cup campaign ending fairly early worked out just fine for Chelsea as they were able to finish his signing that much earlier. Faired pretty poor at the WC but I don’t really care much about that. (Hazard had a pretty poor WC too. But what does that mean, eh?) But the most important aspect about Costa’s signing is that he will only turn 26 this October. That would be fair to say that he has another 4-5 years of top level football in front of him. This would be the striker’s peak period. Needless to say, he is going to be the No.1 choice up front – possibly for all those 5 years – ahead of Fernando ‘non-scoring striker’ Torres and Didier Drogba. Key item: 3-5 years of peak performance right ahead.