One former Barcelona star does not seem to be enough for Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, with Gerard Pique now firmly on the Blues transfer wishlist according to the majority of both the British and Spanish press.
Pique has fallen down the pecking order at the Camp Nou significantly since the arrival of new manager Luis Enrique and despite claiming that he could well see out his career with the Catalan giants, should Chelsea offer the reported £24 million, Barcelona would probably move quicker than Mark Clattenburg trying to make the start of an Ed Sheeran concert.
Chelsea do need a successor for John Terry, of that there is no doubt, but quite if Pique is the man for the job remains to be seen.
The Spaniard has suffered a remarkable decline in form for both club and country in the last couple of seasons, so much so that his place in the starting line up for both Barcelona and La Roja has come under threat.
Do Chelsea and Mourinho really want someone like that to be Terry’s successor? Doubtful given the 33 year old skipper has been the best defender in the Premier League over the last decade and seems to be improving with age! It will be Terry’s body and not his mind or ability on the field that sees him finally forced to hang up his boots, but for most Chelsea fans, Pique is not the man they want to see take his place.
Yes, he has experience in the Premier League from his spell with Manchester United but he is not at the top of his game and as we saw with Fernando Torres, even Jose Mourinho cannot get everyone back to their best.
The issue with Pique was highlighted by former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, who claimed that his off the field lifestyle and his penchant to be a playboy was hindering his on the field displays, and that shows no sign of abating.
Being married to one of the music world’s superstars is no excuse – plenty of players have high profile partners and commercial activities off the field, but only get better on it. Cristiano Ronaldo is case in point.
Pique might have been a great defender once upon a time, but if he really is the one picked to replace Chelsea’s greatest ever defender, he will be found wanting.
Chelsea fans. Would you touch Pique with a barge pole? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.
10 years ago
Forget 24 million! Sell him fo 2.4 million if need be or give him away. I knew El Classico was lost as soon as I saw him starting at center back.