After an embarrassing 1-0 loss at Wolverhampton, Carlo Ancelotti’s is seeing his job slip away quickly. The Blues are 9 points off the pace of undefeated league leaders Manchester United and are having a tough time finding goals, a bizarre problem considering how prolific virtually the same squad was to start the campaign. So where to go now? Let’s head to the transfer market for these players:
1). Gary Cahill: With the departure of Ricardo Carvalho to Real Madrid in the summer window, the lack of defensive cover for the Blues this season is extremely apparent. With Ivanovic and Alex sidelined, the squad is extremely thin and one more injury could see the Ancelotti beginning to employ a player out of position at a back position. Bolton have already said they are willing to offload the 25-year-old England international center back for around $15 million, a reasonable and affordable price for Roman Abramovich to cough up. There will be competition to sign Cahill, however, as many English clubs have been linked with the imposing back. Bolton will try to hold on to him until the summer so a bidding war can be drawn out for his services, but I think Chelsea can get their defensive cover in a Chelsea jersey now.
2). Miralem Pjanic: The Blues should be desperate to add a non defensive midfielder. Frank Lampard cannot serve as the only play-maker for the squad anymore and he’s certainly not getting any younger. See Miralem Pjanic. Haven’t heard of him? The 20-year-old Bosnian international is an attacking midfielder that is a classic play-making midfielder with proven experience in a big league (Ligue 1, playing for Lyon). Not many players can say they’ve scored a goal that has knocked out Real Madrid from the Champions League. He’s got a ton of big game experience and while he’s having a tough campaign so far in 2010, the Blues can build for the future with a purchase like this. With major pieces of the squad on the wrong side of 30, the purchase would be a good gamble for Abramovich.
3). Joleon Lescott: Most people will scoff at me for suggesting this, but in reality, it’s a bargain buy for a player that is hungry to prove himself. Limited to a single appearance for Manchester City this season, the 28-year-old England International is more than extra baggage at Eastlands and can provide a cheap cover for Ancelotti on occasion. He can play center back or left back, a versatility that is desirable and a great asset for a thin squad. He’s a proven player in the EPL and is surely seeking a move away from City. With how many players that squad has, Chelsea could pick up Lescott as a cheap gamble. Worth the risk.
