Chelsea and Jose Mourinho chose not to partake in any desperate signings on Deadline Day, but there has not been a lack of Chelsea ins and outs over the Deadline Day weekend.
While the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal desperately tried to finalise a couple of deals on Monday night to keep up with the Blue pace setters, Mourinho must have been deep asleep in his bed dreaming of silverware with a pretty much complete squad. However, a couple of things did occur in regards to Chelsea over the weekend.
Fernando Torres
The most remarkable transfer business done over the weekend was Fernando Torres’ departure to Milan. The Spaniard had fallen back in the pecking order yet again after the arrivals of Diego Costa and Didier Drogba, and wanted to leave for regular playing time.
He signed for AC Milan at the weekend, in a deal that keeps him in the Serie A on a two-year loan deal. The clubs agreed to the terms on Friday evening, and Torres underwent a medical on Sunday before signing the dotted line, binding him to the San Siro club for the next two years.
The 30-year-old is replacing Mario Balotelli, who signed a deal with Liverpool earlier last week.
Loic Remy
Mourinho then quickly – and rather swiftly – secured the replacement for Torres in Queens Park Rangers forward Loic Remy. The French international cost the Blues £10.5 million, which was the 27-year-old’s release clause.
Arsenal had also been in for the striker but were left helpless as Mourinho swept in and brought him to Stamford Bridge in a deal that could not have taken more than just a few hours to complete.
We now have a three man striking force again with Diego Costa, Didier Drogba and Loic Remy. That looks like silverware in our eyes!
Marco van Ginkel
Another departure from Chelsea was the long-anticipated move for Marco van Ginkel to AC Milan. The Dutchman follows in the footsteps of Torres and moves to San Siro on a season-long loan. Hopefully he will get more playing time and come back fit to fight for a place in our starting line-up next year.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Not a departure, nor a new signing, but it is worth mentioning that Cesar Azpilicueta, or “Dave” as some might call him, has signed a new deal with the Blues! The 25-year-old’s new contract runs until the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
Petr Cech
Many thought the goalkeeper might leave the club before the transfer window closed, but the Czech international was seemingly very happy to stay and fight for his place in the team. As the clock ticked towards the closing stages the 32-year-old tweeted:
Blue is the colour! It hasn’t changed… ? Have a good night everyone.
So let’s see if he can manage to win back his place from young Thibaut Courtois!
Chelsea Talk