Chelsea are all set to bid for Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo to boost their strike force. Rafa Benitez is looking to strengthen his attack in the transfer window, as his backup striker Daniel Sturridge has been in talks with Liverpool for a while now. If Sturridge joins Liverpool as expected, Torres would be the only recognized striker at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard would cost Chelsea not more than £15million, and Sevilla are keen to sell some of their player to ease their financial problems. Negredo has scored 52 goals in 112 goals since he arrived at Sevilla in 2009. Benitez is hoping to bring in Negredo from Sevilla so that he can add to his Spanish ranks. If the Spaniard arrives, he will join a group of fellow countrymen which includes Torres, Juan Mata, Romeu, Azpilicueta and the gaffer Benitez himself.
Is Alvaro Negredo set to join Chelsea?
Born in Madrid Negredo started out at local side Rayo Vallecano, the same club that Swansea’s sensation Michu played for. He was spotted by Real while playing for Rayo in the third division in 2005 .He competed with Roberto Soldado for the striker’s position in the Real Madrid’s B side. Fabio Capello realized his talent after Negredo scored 18 goals for the B side in 2006-2007, but he never made a senior appearance at the Bernabeu. He left Real Madrid in 2007 after failing to break into the first team, and joined Almeria. Since then Negredo has been a prolific goal scorer first at Almeria, where he notched 32 in 73 appearances. After his two successful years with Almeria, Real Madrid activated his £3million buy back clause in 2009, but played him in just one pre-season game before selling him to Sevilla for £12million. Since then he has been at Sevilla and has managed 65 goals in 150 games across all competitions, including 11 in 12 games so far this season. He won the Copa del Rey in his first season with the club and, following the departures of Luis Fabiano and Freddy Kanoute, became their first choice striker alongside Jesus Navas. Energetic, quick and strong in the air, Negredo has also been recognised by national team manager Vicente del Bosque. He has won 12 caps for Spain and scored six goals.
Chelsea are in need of a striker with a proven goal scoring record as Torres hasn’t been impressive so far, Alvaro Negredo could be just the man that Chelsea are looking for. Tactically Chelsea haven’t been at their best except for the 8-0 win over Aston Villa. Torres hasn’t fired and that has put a lot of pressure on the other frontline players. Chelsea have managed to be consistent at the back but their scoring rate hasn’t been so impressive. They have never shown lack pace and have a lot of young guns in their sides. All that Chelsea need is a striker who act as a replacement for Torres and at the same time can provide some competition for the place in starting XI which might improve Torres’s performance. Negredo might be an option that Benitez might consider as Falco their prime target has declined a move away from Athletico Madrid, also the Barcelona board have clearly indicated that Villa is not for sale. So a move for Negredo is always on.
Tags: Alvaro Negredo, Blues, Chelsea, Daniel Sturridge, Rafa Benitez, Sevilla FC, Transfer Window
