Chelsea FC Transfers: Cesc Fabregas In, Costa On The Way, But Lukaku's Future Uncertain

In the midst of a busy World Cup season, clubs have not quietened down on the transfer business. With the transfer market getting interesting each day, TheHardTackle looks at the transfer dealings of Chelsea so far.

As has been the case for the past few seasons, Chelsea have been active very early in the transfer market. Here we look at done deals, almost done deals and baseless rumours (just for the fun of it) involving Chelsea Football Club.

Done deals

Cesc Fabregas (in)

At the time this article was being drafted, the Spanish midfielder was in the “almost done-deals” bracket. However, as Chelsea have just announced (12th June), Cesc Fabregas has completed a move to Stamford Bridge, signing a five-year deal. If Ashley Cole’s move was unpopular among Arsenal fans, this transfer could prove to top that. On the other hand, this world-class addition will delight Chelsea fans no end.

A versatile midfielder, who can play both in attack and in a deep-seated role, Fabregas brings a lot to this Chelsea side. Also, in what can be looked at a move to replace Frank Lampard for the near future, the Spanish player certainly fits the bill.

David Luiz to PSG (sold)

In a shock 50 million pound bid for the defender/ midfielder, Paris Saint-Germain raised the bar very early in the transfer window. That kind of money was previously unheard of, let alone for a defender. The thinking behind this move might have been Luiz’s utility. Be it as a defensive midfielder, or as a centre-back or his dangerous free kicks, the Brazilian is more than a handful. If seen purely as a business deal, Chelsea will no doubt be the happier of the two parties. Not only did they offload a “fringe” player under Mourinho, but also got an excellent bargain out of it. Plus, the added bonus of them adhering to the FFP regulations with all the cash they got for the Brazilian.

Tomas Kalas to FC Koln (on loan)

The Czech international, having only appeared in two games in the previous season has finally sealed a move away from Stamford Bridge. Chelsea and FC Koln (Cologne) have agreed a loan deal starting on the first day of July, 2014. The move may prove to be beneficial to both parties as Kalas needs game time under his belt, while Cologne will get a solid young defender who doesn’t shy away from the big tackles.

Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole (released)

In what are perhaps the biggest exits from the Blues’ squad so far, veterans Lampard and Cole decided to pursue their interests elsewhere. With an astounding 22 trophies for the Blues in between them, Chelsea will certainly hope that they can replace both of them will equally good, if not better, players in the years to come. Lampard has been heavily linked with a move to New York City FC in the MLS, while Cole has been linked to Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United.

Among the list of released players, special mentions to Samuel Eto’o, Hilario, Mark Schwarzer and Milan Lalkovic who are also set to leave at the end of their contracts.

Almost done-deals

Diego Costa

In what is turning out to be a fascinating time for Chelsea fans, the much talked about Spanish striker has been heavily linked with Chelsea since last season. A projected 35 million pound move is on the cards for the Atletico Madrid forward, who – if he joins – will become the highest paid Chelsea player in history. In an apparent confession of sorts, the player has himself admitted that he is on the verge of joining Chelsea. Having faced the ire of the fans at the Bridge for his much-delayed penalty in the Champions League semi-finals, he will sure hope that all is forgotten if and when he dons the Blue of Chelsea.

BBC Sport recently tweeted about his completed medical at Cobham and him on the verge of joining.

Romelu Lukaku (out)

Yes, he is still a Chelsea player and yes, he wants out. The young Belgian cannot be blamed though, having spent the last three seasons out on loan at “smaller” clubs (at the risk of angering West Brom and Everton fans). With Chelsea having gone through such a “crisis” related to strikers in the past season, Lukaku would have been a perfect fit. However, Chelsea thought otherwise and now could lose the talented youngster. With big clubs around Europe wanting him, Lukaku will certainly be spoilt for choice if he really does leave.

Waiting in the wings

If there was ever a more meaningful definition of a manager’s “good headache” with regards to team selection, Chelsea’s loaned-out players could cause a migraine. With twelve (yes, twelve) players set to return to Cobham on the last day of June, Mourinho and the Chelsea think-tank have a huge task ahead of them of sorting it out. The players include Oriol Romeu, Victor Moses, Marko Marin, Ryan Bertrand, Lucas Piazon, Kurt Zouma and the Belgian duo of Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois among others. To top it all off, almost all of the players have had an excellent season at their respective clubs.

Among all the players coming back, apart from the aforementioned Lukaku, the most attention will be on young Thibaut Courtois. Having impressed his parent club in the recent UCL semi-finals at the Bridge, Chelsea fans will be hoping that he wears the Blue ( or the yellow) next season. Seen as a direct replacement for Petr Cech, the tall Belgian will certainly have huge boots to fill.

What the grapevine says

Petr Cech, reportedly unhappy with Courtois’ return this summer, is looking for a move elsewhere. It will also be quite understandable given that neither the former nor the latter would want to spend the season on the bench. If that exit does happen, there will be no shortage of takers for the Czech number one.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke is reportedly on the verge of joining his teammate Diego Costa at Chelsea. If some papers in England are to be believed, the midfielder’s move is almost done.

Milan — Why Always Him?: Balotelli could be reunited with Mourinho

Temperamental striker Mario Balotelli could be on his way to Stamford Bridge, according to the English media. Chelsea are reportedly set to hijack Arsenal’s bid for the Italian and reunite Mourinho with the latter.

Some were also reported as saying that Mourinho could beat major European clubs in securing Radamel Falcao’s signature. The Colombian forward, set to miss the World Cup through injury, is said to be high on the Portuguese manager’s wishlist.

Another heavily linked move is that of Eliaquim Mangala, the 23 year-old Porto centreback. In a recent interview, he stated that he would pick Chelsea’s blue over City’s since he would like to live in London.

If all the purported transfers do go through , this is what the Ai??Chelsea team of 2014-15 would look like:

All said and done, for a club like Chelsea, having to fend off transfer rumours is everyday business. They are bound to be linked with big names given their trophy-hungry owner and a big name manager. However, with some rumours, as they say, there is no smoke without fire!