Maresca wants another defenderplaceholder image
Maresca wants another defender | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea are still on the lookout for new players and a swap deal with Man Utd could solve a problem for both teams.
Chelsea are one of the few teams who got ahead of PSR by buying young, promising players and signing them on long-term contracts.
Not only have the Blues been turning a profit from fringe players who haven’t quite made the grade at Stamford Bridge, the creative accountancy has given Enzo Maresca plenty of money to spend to help tinker with a squad that was already starting to take shape. This has allowed him to make additions to the forward line with four new faces and potentially even more on the way.
The swap deal that Chelsea should propose to sign Alejandro Garnacho
After handing in a transfer request, Ruben Amorim has been vocal about what the future lies for the 21-year old, and it is a future that doesn’t involve playing at Old Trafford again.
United’s desire to sell could benefit Chelsea in that Maresca is already well stocked for left-sided attackers, especially if the transfer of Xavi Simons is confirmed, but there isn’t really anyone else interested in a player who was valued as highly as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in January. Only scoring six goals in the Premier League hasn’t helped his cause, nor has a series of disciplinary issues either.
What might make sense is a swap deal for an individual who has promised a lot and still has the potential to be a top player but who has yet to hit the heights expected of him in midfielder Romeo Lavia. It is also a position where United are still short and might be willing to entertain just getting Garnacho off the books to add depth in an area where they are lacking.
Could Romeo Lavia be Garnacho swap option?
In their 2-2 pre-season draw with Everton, United’s issues in midfield were once again highlighted with Manuel Ugarte’s early promise in pre-season coming crashing down to earth. Caught in possession for Everton’s first goal, the Argentinian could also have done better for their second in what was a problem position for Amorim in his first season in charge.
The only stumbling block might be that Maresca remains a huge fan of Lavia, despite the Belgian international’s injury woes.
“When he’s fit, he’s one of the best midfielders because he can defend very well, he can attack, he breaks the line, the pass between the lines, it is unbelievable. He’s very good and hopefully we can have him until the end of the season,” said Maresca via Chelsea’s official website.
“I spent one entire season with Romeo when I was under-23 (coach) at (Manchester) City. So I know Romeo very well. For us it’s like Reece — they are both top players. The only shame for us is that unfortunately we need to manage them, we need to protect them. But there’s no doubt that Chelsea with Reece and Romeo is a better team.”
The balancing act is, would Chelsea be a better team with Garnacho available all the time, or Lavia available some of the time?
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