Fellaini linked to Chelsea: But do we need him?
Rumours regarding Marouane Fellaini‘s possible transfer to Chelsea are gathering pace. Chelsea have long been linked with him and it seems that the player himself is looking for a way out of Goodison Park.
I am just starting my fifth season at Everton, this will be one of my last – I have seen everything. In January or at the end of the season I will turn to another club or championship.
John Chapman tweeted this morning that the Belgian media say he is wanted by Chelsea and that Sky have confirmed the same. And this could be credible news as well, as Chapman is a real pundit in the Belgian football world.
There have also been crazy figures thrown around – as high as £30 million, in fact. While the chances of Chelsea signing him in January or the summer are high, I can’t imagine the board would ever pay that much for his services!
For now, Fellaini is strongly linked to the club and nothing more. Let’s assume, though, for a second that at some time in the future, Chelsea do sign him.
Do we need him?
A lot rests on what role we want him to play. This season, he has been playing in an attacking midfield role – often just off of the striker – and has been doing so very well. Everton would not have beaten United were it not for his contribution, and he has added another couple of goals and a few assists since then too. Could he ever break into this role with the likes of Mata, Hazard and Oscar playing there? It seems unlikely.
He is also capable of playing a deeper role, and has done so plenty of times before. I don’t think that is his best position, nor do I think it is where he would like to be playing, but he could certainly contribute there, especially if Lampard is on his way out.
What he does have, something that Chelsea uncharacteristically lack at the moment, is a physical presence. At 6′ 4″, he would be able to give us an aerial threat and a Plan B should we need one. Anyone who watched him against United, or any other game this season for that matter, will know what I am talking about.
This may all be hypothetical, but with him being linked to the club as heavily as he is, it is worth considering these things.
If it comes to it, my desire to sign him would be conditional:
1) He must be happy to play in a deeper role, as I can’t see him playing regularly in Chelsea’s attacking four.
2) If we are talking figures anywhere near £30 million, then let’s just forget it. Even if these are met, I am not sure that he is right for the team.
Then again, he is Belgian; and he’d probably get on with Luiz as well.