Chelsea is Doing Business in the Transfer Market

Last season Chelsea had a formula that could have produced a title: a strong goalkeeper and defense anchored a creative midfield. But the combination of a timid strike force, and several shock results (home against Norwich and Sunderland, at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, among others) combined to halt the Blues charge to glory. Honestly, the team had holes. There was no reliable striker, with Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o all producing some great performances in big games, but failing to consistently provide goals. The bench was thin; when John Terry was out on injury, Mourinho reluctantly turned to David Luiz, who was far to adventurous and ended up leaving holes at the back.

There were some great results: the second leg win over PSG in the Champions League, the wins at Liverpool and City. But those classic victory’s were deflated with disappointing losses: the four mentioned above, as well as the defeat to Sunderland in the League Cup, and going down against Atleti in the Champions League semi-final. At the end of the season, Jose knew that he needed to do business in the transfer market, and fill the gaps in the Blues lineup.

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The top priority on Mourinho’s transfer list was to get a forward who could score, consistently. It had been rumored for months, even since the winter, that Chelsea were working out a deal to bring Diego Costa to London. The Spanish/Brazilian forward scored 36 in 52 for Atleti last season, including 27 in La Liga. However, Costa ended up being the Blues second summer signing. Cesc Fabergas made the move back to London, after spending three years at Barcelona. Arsenal turned down the option to buy him, and the Spanish midfielder soon after joined Chelsea. Fabergas bring to the squad the ability to play as a deep lying playmaker, and an inane sense of reaching the ball at just the right moment, not unlike Frank Lampard. The Costa transfer was wrapped up several weeks later, leaving Jose with most of his transfer check list complete: he had found a striker, as well as a replacement for Lampard in the midfield. However, Jose wanted to solidify an already strong team. So, two days ago, Chelsea announced the signing of another Atletico Madrid player, Filipe Luis. Luis starred at left back for Atleti, and will almost certainly do the same for the Blues in the Premier League next season. This signing gives Mourninho more center back options, because Chelsea’s left back for most of last season was Cesar Azpilicueta. Azpilicueta was a natural right back, and will surely be moved back to that role now that Luis has arrived. This means Branislav Ivanovic will likely be on the bench, meaning he can sub in at right back, or at center back. This means that, unlike last season, if either Terry or Cahill get injured, there will be a quality and trusty replacement for them.

"“I have to say, my club did a fantastic job, and not just because of what we bought, but because we did it in almost record time. The transfer market closes on 31 August and we close our market on 19 July. We finished the market today.”"

Yesterday, Jose claimed that Chelsea’s transfer market was now closed. However, Chelsea are sure to make a few more signings before September. Didier Drogba is rumored to be returning; Mourinho wants a second striker, and would like to have Drogba’s charisma, leadership and fire in the dressing room. Drogba would like to leave the game at Chelsea, and preferably, winning some silverware. Another Atleti player, this time Brazilian defender Miranda, is also in Jose’s sights. He would almost certainly be a backup to the strong partnership that John Terry and Gary Cahill have forged, but with Terry getting older, and still no less rash, Miranda will be sure to get more than just a few starts here and there.

John Terry (right) helped make Chelsea’s defense the best in the Premier League last season, and will be looking to again, this season. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

On the whole, Chelsea have done a better job than any other title contender in the Premier League of doing their business in the transfer market. Liverpool have looked to buy attacking replacements for Luis Suarez, and yet have filled none of their defensive needs, which, in the end, halted their title run.

Manchester City have done little, other than picking Bacary Sagna up off a free transfer. That may not seem like a big deal, because they did just win the title, but in such a competitive league, you always have to be improving, not just satisfied with your product. A perfect example is Real Madrid, who, after winning the Champions League last year, have gone out and bought Toni Kroos, and outstanding defensive midfielder, and Jamez Rodriguez, the star of the World Cup, to bolster an already full team. Yet City seem content with their team.

Man United has had little time to do anything, since Louis van Gaal just got to the club from the World Cup. They have been linked to players like Arturo Vidal and Stefan de Vrij. Bobby Robson has called for the signing of a world class defender, which is more than obvious: Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jon Evans simply won’t cut it. The Red Devils did, however, sign Luke Shaw, the young English left-back that has everyone in the world drooling. However, the fact that they won’t be playing Champions League football next season, and possibly the season after that, may make drawing great players to Old Trafford harder for LVG.

Chelsea also has an advantage over their rivals in the fact that almost of their business will be done before August starts, much less the Premier League. Teams will be scrapping together lineups for the opening game, while Chelsea will already have assembled their best lineup.

Jose Mourinho has ruthlessly carried out business this transfer market. He has filled the holes in Chelsea’s lineup, and even reinforced some strong parts. Now, with a strong defense, a midfield that is both defensively sound and creative going forward, and, hopefully, an attack which can score goals, the Blues are set to win silverware, possibly in multiple competitions. All because of Mourinho’s work in June and July.