Chelsea FC: Why signing Ross Barkley and Oxlade-Chamberlain is crucial
Chelsea FC head coach Antonio Conte is looking to sign more talented English players for the Blues as reported by The Telegraph.
Conte admitted that he would like to sign more English players for Chelsea FC as right now, captain Gary Cahill is the only English player likely to start.
The Chelsea hierarchy have let several good young English players go in Ruben Loftus Cheek, Nathaniel Chalobah and Tammy Abraham.
But if Chelsea want to compete for titles, Conte has said he needs good English players, rather than youth players.
"“To have a core of English players is important. It’s something I value but, above all, to have a core of good English players. Not only English players.”"
The Blues have been linked with several young English players, but are mostly interested in signing Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Everton’s Ross Barkley and Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater.
But it’s Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley that are the two most crucial signings for Chelsea FC.
It’s evident from the Blues recent match against Spurs that Conte plans on utilizing a 3-5-2 formation more this season instead of the 3-4-3 formation that won them the Premier League title last season.
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Conte started David Luiz as the holding midfielder with Tiemoue Bakayooko and N’Golo Kante in a midfield three while Willian played just behind striker Alvaro Morata.
And if Conte intends on using this formation more this season, it will be crucial that he signs another attacking midfielder to use in the midfield three. While it’s also crucial that he signs another wing-back to cover for Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses.
Right now, Conte has only three central midfielders to choose from in Bakayoko, Kante and Cesc Fabregas who was banned in the last game. And while David Luiz can certainly be used as a back-up midfielder-as shown in their recent game- it’s important that Chelsea get another midfielder through the door, come the end of the transfer window.
While Cesc Fabregas is indeed a great option as a third midfielder, there are doubts about his defensive output and his work-rate. Ross Barkley, meanwhile, is not a defensive midfielder per se, but he is a young English player and he plays with a lot of aggression and speed- more so than Fabregas.
Barkley can play in front of Bakayoko and Kante as a third attacking midfielder in the number 10 role.
The 23-year-old is being linked with a £30m move to Stamford Bridge and talks between the cubs are set to take place after their upcoming game.
It’s crucial for the Blues to get another midfielder and while Drinkwater is another good alternative, I believe Ross Barkley is more obtainable, younger, and more attacking.
Additionally, Barkley will provide Chelsea with more shooting threat from outside the box. It’s crucial that Chelsea sign another midfielder if Conte wants to use a three-man midfield in order to have at least one, if not two, midfielders to use from the bench.
Additionally, Chelsea are being repeatedly linked with a move for Oxlade-Chamberlain. This is a good move. Oxlade-Chamberlain is certainly obtainable as his contract runs out in less than a year and is said to have refused to sign a new contract. He wants to win major trophies and doesn’t believe Arsenal are going to win any despite their FA Cup win last season.
Chelsea desperately need another wing-back as they only have two wing-backs to choose from which is obviously not ideal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain can also be used as a back-up central midfielder as he’s played there for Arsenal on a number of occasions. He is great at getting forward which is ideal for Chelsea’s system as their wing-backs get forward a lot and are essentially defensive wingers. The 24-year-old will certainly give Victor Moses reason to fear his starting place. He is quick, good on the ball, great at dribbling and is also adept at defending.
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Both Ross Barkley and Oxlade-Chamberlain fit perfectly into the 3-5-2 formation and will potentially make Chelsea a title-winning team this season.
Chelsea FC will take on Everton FC on Monday in what should be a fiercely fought battle.