An exclusive in English newspaper Sunday Express claims that Chelsea FC are ready to launch an ambitious A?40 million bid for the France international — a player manager Jos Mourinho has reportedly coveted for some time
Antoine Griezmann is having another stellar season with La Liga side Atl tico Madrid in 2015-2016, and with Chelsea FC struggling for goals, the Blues are reportedly keen on landing the Frenchman with a A?40 million bid.
The France international is believed to have signed a new contract at the beginning of this season, which gave him a significant rise in salary and increased his release clause, which was originally set at a 65 million.
Chelsea FC ready to launch a bid for Griezmann, according to the Sunday Express
The Sunday newspaper report said that the Blues’ manager Jos Mourinho wanted the Frenchman in the summer, but was told that Griezmann would stay put after a scintillating d but season with Atl tico Madrid.
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Chelsea prepare a big offer for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann [Express] https://t.co/FCiONHvWDS pic.twitter.com/PW5UAP5xxi
a 101 Great Goals (@102greatgoals) November 15, 2015
According to the report, Chelsea FC are ready to launch a A?40 million bid to sign Griezmann to bolster their attack, with Diego Costa struggling for form, and back-up strikers LoA?c R my and Radamel Falcao failing to step up. There is no indication as to when the Stamford Bridge outfit plan to launch this ambitious move, but the report claims the 24-year-old would be interested in a move to the English Premier League.
Chelsea FC fans can forget about Antoine Griezmann… at least for now
There is very little about a Chelsea FC move for Griezmann that makes sense at the moment, and that is perhaps why the exclusive report in the Sunday Express is reluctant to cite any sort of time-frame for when this move might occur.
To state the obvious, Atl tico Madrid are a better team than the Blues, at least for the moment. The Stamford Bridge outfit could very realistically not be in the UEFA Champions League next season, making it extremely difficult for them to sign a potentially world-class footballer such as Antoine Griezmann.
Apart from the fact that the Frenchman will likely receive other offers from Europe’s top clubs, it is also worth noting that in Mourinho’s current system, there is no natural position for Griezmann. His preferred ‘second striker’ role would mean Oscar would have to be benched, as also Cesc F bregas, who will not be played in the double-pivot without the protection the Brazilian offers playing in the No 10 role.
Griezmann’s skill-set is not suited to playing as a lone striker, particularly not in the English Premier League, where strikers have to be able to compete physically with their back to the goal against teams that sit deep. Eden Hazard will return to form at some point, and is unlikely to be moved from the left wing. Brazilian Willian has been outstanding this season, and his defensive contribution from the right wing is not easily replaced.
Quite simply, Antoine Griezmann is unlikely to be plying his trade in south-west London any time soon.