Some news has been circling today of Chelsea’s interest in Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson, a relatively unknown and young forward coming through.
Whatever people might think of Jackson, there is no doubt that he has been scouted using data, which is something that I’d like to see a bit more of at Chelsea. Smart recruitment based on data and scouting is where we need to be heading.
I can’t even comment on Jackson personally as I’ve only seen him play a couple of times, but these type of unknowns where I am hoping the club have done heavy research on, is something that I am all for.
Some Chelsea fans believe that if we cannot land our priority option for the defensive midfield position, then we should be waiting until the next solid option is available and not signing anyone this season if there isn’t the suitable option out there.
I can certainly see this side of the argument. However, for me it is absolutely pinnacle that we find and sign a suitable defensive midfielder this summer. We sold Jorginho, we are selling Mateo Kovacic, likely Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, and Mason Mount, and N’Golo Kante is leaving on a free. We simply MUST replace them.
Not only is there quality there, but there is also experience there, something we already lack. THIS is my main reason why we simply MUST find a suitable defensive midfielder this window, and for me, it’s not even a debate (as always, appreciate other views). We have to suitably replace departing players and revamp this midfield.
But that isn’t the only reason. I have two other MASSIVE reasons for this, and that is before even going into just how important a defensive midfielder is for any team, and history, old and new, has/is proving that time and time again.
The next reason is Enzo Fernandez. This guy came in to our club in January and played every game. I dread to think what might have happened if we didn’t have Enzo in our team. He is going to be world class VERY soon, without a doubt.
Now we need to protect him, free him, and develop him fully. To do this, he needs a solid option to come in and play alongside him. Again, that’s not a debate. We ALL saw it last season, I do not want to see it next season as well. Learn from our mistakes. We owe it to Enzo to provide him with the support and quality he deserves around him. Allow him to do his job and become a world beater – do not let him down.
The third, but not final reason for needing a DM this window, is because we simply HAVE to give Maurizio Pochettino EVERY chance to succeed, as soon as physically possible. We HAVE to give him the tools to do the job, and one key tool is the DM. Pochettino truly values a proper DM, as we saw from his want of Manuel Ugarte, and failing to provide him with one will not provide him with the best possible start.
I don’t want to be sat here again in December speaking about what manager we are looking to replace Pochettino with. Whilst yes, we can all understand that he will need time to build and it is a project and we need patience etc, etc, etc – but didn’t we all say the same about Graham Potter?
We know this is a cut-throat business, and we know fans can drive managers out if they really want to. I’m not saying a DM will single-handedly provide Pochettino with a successful first season at Chelsea, but my god will it go a long way to helping that.
And another reason that is important but still doesn’t even come into the importance level as the previously mentioned three reasons, is Pochettino’s preferred starting formation needs TWO number 6’s. If we sell all the players we are expected to sell, we only really have one ideal option left in our squad, and ideally we need at least three, two at a push if we are considering a Lewis Hall or an Andrey Santos as rotation options.
The key for me is experience. I’m not saying old, but experience. I’m OK with Moises Caicedo because although he is still young, he’s at least had that vital year now in the Premier League. I’m good with that – his qualities stand tall.
But if we are signing just Romeo Lavia this summer for example, then I truly fear for our season and that is absolutely NO slight at Lavia. I LOVE the player and want to sign him, but the kid is 19-years-old, the same age as Santos, and if we are signing him then it simply MUST be alongside another true DM. Lavia in his defence though, also has that vital years’ experience in the Premier League, at a relegation fighting team. As I say, I’d be more than happy signing Lavia, I highly rate the guy. But not him alone, we need more.
So is it time to scout the next hidden gem? Is it time to use our data experts and our talent spotters to go out and find the next big thing? The next Declan Rice? The next Moises Caicedo? Before they hit their £100m valuations?
That’s the definition of smart recruitment, no? If the club do this, they’d have to ignore the noise from fans (I’d back it) and put trust and faith in the players they are pursuing. But surely there are now enough ‘experts’ in the room to find talent before they become too famous? Joao Palhinha was found by Fulham scouts and he wasn’t young, this doesn’t mean young players. Brighton do it superbly, just look at Caicedo as the prime example there. Why can’t Chelsea do that?
I refuse to believe that there aren’t any suitable DM’s out there that we cannot sign this summer, and many of these will be MUCH cheaper than the players we are trying for.
For me, it shouldn’t even be a debate, even though I can see and understand what people are saying when they say we should just wait it out. For me though, for the huge reasons above and the fact I’m not full of confidence for next season, makes it no debate.
