Never go full Keysey
If you’ve never read Richard Keys’ blog, it is an absolute treat. The former Sky Sports presenter, now working out of Doha for beIN Sports, generally uses the page to write somewhat incoherent takes on why Big Sam deserves a job and Pep Guardiola is overrated. Proper Football Man stuff.
This time, Keys leant right into that line of thinking, suggesting Chelsea could try to sign a completely new English spine in Harry Maguire, Harry Kane and Declan Rice.
It should be acknowledged Chelsea do need new defenders, a new forward (assuming Romelu Lukaku leaves) and a defensive midfielder to replace the ageing N’golo Kanté and Jorginho.
But it never seems to occur to him that signing all three of these players – Kane, especially – would be near enough impossible, let alone all in the same window.
Anyway, quoted directly from his blog entitled ‘Man City meltdown that ended in playground’, here is Keysey’s wisdom in all its glory”
“I keep hearing Chelsea want to go again – and build an English spine through their team. The new owners will want to make a statement and this might just be it.
“They need a centre-back. Harry Maguire? What would he cost? £40/50 million? I’m pretty sure he’d jump at the chance of a new start.
“The obvious one in mid-field would be Rice. Kante has all but run himself to a standstill. Rice would be a perfect replacement. Would West Ham sell? Of course they will if the money is right. I’d give you £150m for him all day long. If Rice pushes hard it might not take that much.
“So who do they go for up front? Tuchel wants rid of Lukaku – that’s pretty obvious. But to where? Who’s got the most out of him during his career? Correct – the guy at Tottenham. So if Conti (sic) can be persuaded to stay – and he fancied working with Lukaku again – what could Spurs do to get him? They wouldn’t want to pay anything like Chelsea did for him. So – what about a player exchange? Two players worth £50m a-piece?
“An English spine at Chelsea I said. So Son or Kulusevski wouldn’t interest them at The Bridge. That leaves one option. Yep. England’s No 9. Let’s see. A modern transfer is difficult enough – but three of that size in one summer would be incredible. I keep hearing it though – which is why I’ve shared it with you.”
It’s hard to choose a favourite bit; I’m torn between the assertion that Harry Kane is only worth £50m and the line ‘An English spine I said. So Son or Kulusevski wouldn’t interest them at the Bridge.”
I would also like to know where he keeps hearing this from. Hopefully, he gives us an indication in his next blog.
