With the Premier League season beginning to wind down, the rumors of what is to come this summer are ramping up again. Speculation continues to blow in the winds as to which top flight players will join some of the division’s top clubs. Chelsea is on the verge of clinching its first Premier League title since 2010 and considering they are an annual big spender, it’s no surprise that a number of names have been linked with a potential move to Stamford Bridge.
While the rumors are circulating, we’ve decided to separate the fact from the fiction. Here are five players that have been linked with either joining or leaving the club, as well as the verdict behind whether any potential moves will truly happen.
Emmanuel Adebayor, Tottenham
The Express reported that Chelsea is willing to pay a decent amount to acquire the services of striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Tottenham, even though he has underachieved over the last two seasons and hasn’t scored a goal since late October. However, considering his terrible form and the fact that the Blues have made a commitment not to overpay for big name players that can’t produce at an elite level anymore, the odds of Adebayor landing at Chelsea are extremely thin. There are plenty of rumors about Chelsea looking to find a replacement for Didier Drogba up front but Adebayor simply does not look like a credible option. Verdict: False
Theo Walcott, Arsenal
The Blues are already loaded on the wings but there have been persistent rumors that manager Jose Mourinho would like to add at least one more in the offseason. With Walcott entering the final year of his contract at Arsenal, it appears as though this could be a fit. There have been some that have suggested Chelsea could use Petr Cech as a trade chip for Walcott and clearly there is some substance to this potential move. Verdict: True
Mauro Icardi, Internazionale
One name that has seemingly forever been linked with a move to Chelsea is that of the Inter striker Icardi, who has turned a strong Serie A season in to high demand for his services among Premier League teams. However, Loic Remy has looked very good as the Blues second striker behind Diego Costa and there will be a strong contingent of teams bidding for Icardi’s services. If the Blues didn’t have Diego Costa, maybe Icardi would be someone they’d target as a primary source of scoring but in a secondary, it’s hard to see them breaking the bank to compete with the others. Don’t expect him to land with Chelsea. Verdict: False
Jose Luis Gaya, Valencia
The one area where the Blues could really use an upgrade is in the final third. That’s where the Valencia left back Jose Luis Gaya would provide some energy and fresh legs as one of the most talented young defenders supposedly available on the open market. The Metro has suggested Chelsea will make a move for his services this summer to bolster their left back position and it wouldn’t be a shock at all to see it happen. Verdict: True
Petr Cech, Chelsea
On the other side of the transfer equation is the one player that is expected to be on the move from Chelsea this summer. The arrival of Thibaut Courtois has relegated the longtime keeper Chelsea keeper Cech to the bench but he is far too talented of a goalie to stay there. He will almost certainly be moved this summer as there are a number of teams that will come calling. Cech should have his choice of where he wants to go with Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid all supposedly in the mix to acquire his services, so regardless of where he ends up, expect him to be on the move this summer and wearing a different uniform next season. Verdict: True
