Chelsea New Season Arrival: Oriold Romeu

Oriol Romeu (Central Midfielder): All of us are familiar with the young chap who was bought from Barcelona where Barcelona had a first refusal option or something like that. And then he went on to shine under Andres Villas Boas (yeah, remember THAT chap too?) and Ancelotti. Following that, he just disappeared. Then he went on loan to Valencia which did not do him much good. And now he is back from Valencia and training with the first team squad. And then Jose Mourinho decides he is good enough to play central midfield for Chelsea – either as first choice or backup (my money on backup). But long story short, Oriol Romeu is still only 22 years old, plays in a position Chelsea are in a lot of need, and he can impress Jose Mourinho. What more do you want? As a result, the club gave him a new 3 year contract. Three years – not five. Why? Because the club knows he may or may not fulfill his potential. If he does fulfill it, then he can go ahead and sign an extension. If he flops, then we can bid him goodbye in a couple of years. In any case, he offers something at least to the central midfield position. Hopefully he will prove Mourinho right. Key items: Familiar face, central midfield, 22 years old, 3 year contract, has to prove himself.

Chelsea Summer Transfer Acquisition #2: Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas (Midfielder): This was an unexpected one. But I still like it. In the past 2 seasons, even with the acquisition of Oscar, Willian and Hazard, the one thing the Blues have just not seen on the pitch is the ‘through ball’. This is partly attributed to the phenomenal lack of footballing presence from our strikers in the past two seasons. But on many many occasions, we have just not had our midfielders slip in that through ball bisecting the opposition defense and straight to the feet of the striker making his run. Nor have our midfielders tried to put an over the top ball directly to the striker. And THIS is what Fabregas can do and it is also what I am looking forward to a lot. Secondly, from what I see in pre-season, he is being made to play that deeper role in Central midfield alongside Matic. While Matic has made that position his own, Fabregas brings a different set of skill for that position. He will need to work on some tackling and defensive aspects of course. But just having someone like him build an attack from the back is something that we should cherish. Add to this, his awesome free kick taking ability and the fact that he is still only 27, and we have a very shrewd signing here. Key item: 3-5 years of peak performance ahead, free kick taking, through ball, over the top ball, central midfield playing position.