Fellaini's January transfer exit from the Toffees on the cards. Will Chelsea pursue?
Everton midfielder and Chelsea target Marouane Fellaini has seemingly expressed his desire to leave his current club for a new challenge. This is a very interesting turn of events, especially seeing that I have very recently voiced my concerns over our current defensive midfield options; feel free to check out the article here.
The 24-year old’s comments were allegedly made to the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad while he was away on international duty, he was reported as saying;
I have started my fifth season at Everton. This will be one of my last seasons. I have seen everything. In January, or at the end of the season, I will look for another club or league.
Fellaini has since made further comments on his official facebook page, saying that he is “happy in Liverpool” and that he is “ready to play all the season and to reach our (Everton’s) goals”. However, it is interesting to note that he has not actually outright denied his desire to seek pastures new.
There could be other motives behind the midfielder’s comment to the press, but I don’t think that it is a ploy concocted by his agent to get better terms or a new contract (a la Wayne Rooney) because he signed an improved 5-year deal with Everton as recently as November last year.
The reason I say that Chelsea should be alert and ready for the January transfer window is because of the subsequent statement made by Everton manager David Moyes;
I won’t say there’s no chance (of Fellaini moving) in the next window, because everybody is available throughout the world if the offer is right, but one thing I know is the transfer window is closed, so he’s not going anywhere right now.
As the famous saying goes; “every man has his price”. The question is will Chelsea be willing to pay the substantial fee that will surely be required to attain the Belgian powerhouse’s services? David Moyes is in a very strong bargaining position, Fellaini still has 4 years left on his contract, so he will only be let go if Everton’s inevitably inflated valuation is met.
He could well be attracted to our club because of our mass array of Belgian talent already in the squad, he would slot in nicely with fellow countrymen Eden and Thorgan Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Yes, January is a long way off, but unfortunately the problems in the middle of the park are here now. With RDM’s reluctance to play Ramires in the centre, the bizarre and untimely sale of Raul Meireles plus the loan deals of Josh McEachran and Michael Essien, we are undeniably lacking depth and quality in the centre of midfield. Fellaini could be the potential solution to our problem come the transfer window.
What do you think?
- Is Fellaini the missing link in our midfield?
- Is he worth the premium that we will almost certainly have to pay for him?
- If not, who do you think would be the perfect match for Chelsea’s deeper midfield role?
- Or do we not need any extra additions to the squad?
Don’t hesitate to leave your own opinion below, everyone is welcome to post their views!
Article by Martin Smith
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KTBFFH!