Transfer news: Two of Chelsea’s players listed by previous clubs
By Orri Benatar
Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko could return to their original clubs this summer. It would make for a busy summer for Chelsea in the window.
Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport first reported that Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is on his old club Juventus’ transfer shortlist. Morata spent two seasons at Juventus before playing with Real Madrid last season. He was an impactful player at Juventus where he scored vital goals in the Champions League to take Juve to the final in 2015.
Morata hasn’t had the most productive of seasons with Chelsea. He has only managed 11 goals in the Premier League this season when expected to be a 20 goal scorer. Conte even went out and bought a new striker in the winter by acquiring Olivier Giroud.
Juventus probably would love to have Morata back. He brought a mix of speed and strength to the front line when he was in Turin. He is a perfect pairing with Argentine youngster Paulo Dybala, who Juve hopes to hand onto this summer. If Dybala does leave, that slots Morata as the future star of Juventus with Gonzalo Higuain turning 31 next December.
Juventus are interested in re-signing Alvaro Morata, and Monaco are keen on bringing back Tiemoue Bakayoko.
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) April 24, 2018
Chelsea won’t listen to offers, unless either ask to leave (Telegraph) pic.twitter.com/Kz03cWblEA
The other bit of potential business this summer at Stamford Bridge is the sale of Tiemoue Bakayoko. In an interview with Telefoot, AS Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev expressed interest in bringing back Bakayoko after he left the club last summer.
Bakayoko has had a tough time adjusting to life in the Premier League with a sub-par season for Antonio Conte and Chelsea. He thrived in Ligue 1 and helped lead Monaco to the title in 2016-17. Monaco needs to do whatever it can to compete with the super-powered PSG.
"How on Earth do they look at Bakayoko and think he's a better player than Loftus-Cheek?
— BT Sport Score (@btsportscore) April 28, 2018
They must have blinkers on."
Is Ruben Loftus-Cheek ready to make the step up and claim a starting place at Chelsea next season?#BTSportScore pic.twitter.com/kVjICpZTJD
Transfer Insight
Personally, Chelsea should hang onto Alvaro Morata and sell Bakayoko. Bakayoko is young and not geared towards the Premier League. Chelsea also has young, English midfielders out on loan that have more potential than Bakayoko. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Baker come to mind as those two players that can be first-team role players at Chelsea next season.
Next: Should Marcus Rashford leave Old Trafford
Alvaro Morata, on the other hand, is a very talented striker and has the potential to be one of the best in the world. Chelsea should be patient and not sell him. He thrives better in a two attacker system. Pairing him with Pedro or Giroud would get the best out of him.